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Castlemaine convoy emerges from lockdown

Surprise convoy back from COVID restrictions to raise funds for Rotary

Castlemaine Rotary president Christine Barkla with convoy winner Owen Leech.

One of the first transport industry gatherings since the easing of Victoria’s COVID lockdown restrictions was held at Castlemaine when around 40 trucks formed a convoy on November 29. It was a surprise showing given this year’s Castlemaine Rotary Truck Show had been forced to go online.

Castlemaine Rotary president Christine Barkla paid tribute to the transport businesses that turned out to make up a convoy of nearly 40 trucks and a vibrant audio-visual spectacle for the community.

“The convoy and online activities have been very well received by the community and we are grateful to those who have made a small donation to show their appreciation,” Christine says.

“The truck show is normally our biggest fundraiser for the year, but we’ve had to do things differently in 2020.”

Best Presented Convoy trophy, sponsored by Daimler Truck & Bus Australia Pacific, was awarded to Owen Leech’s 1966 International R200 which gave him the honour of leading the parade with his grandchildren in the cab.

Lois Knight, grandmother of Richmond ALF player, Dustin Martin, was on hand to view the famous Richmond Truck and gave her stamp of approval to the decal and DTARGU plates.

Shaun Teven from Dickerson Bulk Haulage won the ‘At Work With Trucks’ photo comp.

The announcement of the ‘At Work with Trucks’ photo competition results created much interest. The judges assessed 54 photographs received from as far away as Queensland and South Australia.

The winner of a Waeco fridge-freezer, sponsored by Used Trucks, was Shaun Teven from Dickerson Bulk Haulage in Ballan. Shaun’s wife had submitted the photograph despite his protests that the truck wasn’t washed beforehand. However, the believed that it perfectly represented the theme of the competition, ‘At Work With Trucks’ – and the smile sold it!

Runners-up prizes, sponsored by Lowes Petroleum Service, went to David Postan from Queensland, Keith Thompson from Castlemaine, and Darrell Jennings from Golden Square. People’s Choice, sponsored by Chapman’s Framing & Photography, was awarded to Kate Norman of Shepparton.

In addition, generous prizes sponsored by Geoff Hocking, Maine Civil, Endota Spa Daylesford, CMV Truck & Bus, and Williams Adams CAT for the raffle sales raised just over $3,000.

 “We give thanks to all our sponsors that made this event a success, in particular the Mount Alexander Shire that worked closely with us to ensure the Truckie’s Breakfast was COVID safe,” Christine continues.

While not everyone were able to make it to Castlemaine, over 4000 Facebook members followed the event with a reach of up to 10,000 people for popular posts.

Dustin Martin’s grandmother Lois Knight and the Richmond Truck.

An online program of speakers including heavy vehicle researcher Rod George and author Lorraine Day kept trucking enthusiasts engaged and primed for next year’s truck show which is scheduled for November 27-28, 2021.

The ‘At Work With Trucks’ 2021 calendar, sponsored by Kenworth DAF, is now on sale featuring the photographs entered in the competition.

The donation portal remains open for those who would like to support Rotary’s work in the community at www.trybooking.com/au/donate/castlemainerotary.

For other information on the event, see the show website at www.castlemainetruckshow.com or the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/castlemainetrucks.

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