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All smiles at Brisbane Convoy for Kids

The Brisbane Convoy for Kids emerged from a COVID-enforced lockout when more than 600 trucks made the trip from Brisbane’s south to 'Dolphin' territory on the Redcliffe peninsula on November 6

The lead truck heads up the convoy en route to Redcliffe

Waking up on a Sunday morning with a hard drive full of photos and a body covered in sunburn can only mean one thing. It’s truck show time! Now, don’t get me wrong, I wholeheartedly endorse the ‘Slip, Slop, Slap’ campaign or whatever iteration they are using these days. I even lecture folk about making sure they are lathered up when the Queensland sun is out in force. However, on Saturday, November 6, I will admit I got a bit lax. Who could blame me, though – it was the Brisbane Convoy for Kids.

The trucks were shined up, the crowds were out in force and my cameras were fully charged.

Rain hit the convoy as it travelled the Gateway Motorway

It was the 12th running of the charity event and, this year, 620 trucks were registered and took part in the convoy. The 2019 convoy still holds the record with 624 registrations but that did include bikes and utes. Still, 620 is roughly 620 more than last year’s event after that dreaded ‘C word’ forced the cancellation of the convoy.

Standing in front of his P3 T909 is Cameron Gaskell and his son Jayden, with BJ Munro who drives P3’s K200

Of those 620 that headed off from this year’s new departure location – Paradise Road in Larapinta – 567 of them were then squeezed into the Redcliffe Showgrounds where they were greeted by a huge crowd of spectators and supporters.

I’d love to give you the number of folks that came into the showgrounds as well but it got that busy it actually crashed their gate system. I don’t know much about computers but I’m guessing that means there were a fair few people.

Susie and Amy Carter were caught taking this young fella out for a stroll

As is the tradition the lead truck spot was up for auction. It was quite a heated bidding war that ended with Jason O’Hearn from Karren Quarries in his Mack Trident taking out the number one spot with a bid of $5,500. All up, the top 20 trucks raised $32,305 – money well spent for the prime parking spots out at Redcliffe.

As soon as the clock hit 8.30am the lead truck headed off along its traditional route, down the Gateway Motorway and Deagon Deviation before heading into Dolphin rugby league territory, Redcliffe.

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‘Mother Nature’ popped in to spoil things a little, throwing in just enough rain to get some road spray up. But least she was considerate and rained only along the Gateway Motorway, ensuring that the hundreds of spectators that did line the available areas never copped any splashback.

Grant Larder (L) who restored the old Budweiser Transtar stands with the proud new owner Jason Huet

After the little dampener, the only other drama was finding a park. Full credit to the volunteers at the gates and in the showgrounds who were running round like health and safety officers after catching someone on a forklift with no seatbelt.

The team from All Kind Towing- Owner Chris Vella, David Homan, Tristan Baartz and Michael Gray just showing off their varied range of tilt-trays

It was a mammoth challenge for the volunteers as they dealt with what seemed like a never-ending stream of big shiny rigs coming through the gates. Thumbs up to all the guys and girls that managed to get nearly 600 trucks parked up.

AAP_0936.jpgAlso a big thumbs up to the truck show judges as well. Those folk had to start their rounds from the moment the first trucks rolled in. Even with the early start it wasn’t until almost 5pm before all the votes were tallied up and the winners announced.

Decisions, decisions

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, truck showing judging has got to be the hardest job in the world. I know they say air traffic controllers have it tough but if you saw some of the quality trucks that rolled up for the convoy, I think you would have to agree with me. So, well done to the judges. They had to make some pretty tough decisions.

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You will see in the photos there was a stack of trophies, which means a heap of winners. I could list them all but you are best to go check out the Brisbane Convoy for Kids’ Facebook page for the list of winners.

I will mention the Truck of the Show, though. It was the first truck show outing for Faadhil Deen and the Mactrans 100-year anniversary Mack Super-Liner and it cleaned up. It really is a working work of art.

The Northcott family Brenten, Sarah, Jatt Ryan (Blingman) and Ken were bringing the shine to the convoy

At the end of the day, after all the live entertainment, the many fair rides, visiting all the stalls and the massive charity auction, all the funds raised this year will be going the way of The Hummingbird House.

The exact figures are still being calculated but it’s fair to say, after a year’s hiatus, the Brisbane Convoy for Kids has come back stronger than ever.

‘Kingpin’ Mactrans stunning 100 year anniversary Mack quite rightly took out Truck of the Show

Personally, I’d like to acknowledge all the volunteers that helped put this event together and were hard at work not just on the day, but before and after, doing all the behind-the-scenes stuff we miss.

A huge shout out also to all the drivers and companies that made the day special with hundreds of sparkling rigs. My whinging about a little sunburn pales in comparison to the hours you guys put in getting your trucks ready for the Brisbane Convoy for Kids 2021.

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Check out the full coverage of the 2021 Brisbane Convoy for Kids in OwnerDriver‘s December edition.

Photography: Warren Aitken

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