Trucking celebrations in Western Australia didn’t disappoint last week, with the inaugural Mullewa Truck Muster grabbing the attention of crowds and sponsors.
Held on Saturday June 1, the Mullewa Muster and Rodeo received high praise from visitors, with the first ever Truck Muster even attracting 27 trucks, a solid effort for its first year.
Event organiser Tahni Doble says with lots of love shown toward the big rigs, there’s been talk of sponsorships and making the event annual.
“Everyone loves to see a good shiny truck,” Doble says.
“We’ve got Truck Centre WA wanting to come back on-board next year as major sponsors.
“Everyone is saying that if they didn’t bring their truck out this year, they’ll definitely bring it out next year.”
Despite rain threatening to dampen high spirits, over 3,000 people showed up to the event and not a single drop fell until well after midnight.
“Everything was all well-and-truly done and dusted before the rain came in. It was perfect timing,” she says.
The competition sparked excitement for attendees with three well known locals from the Midwest trucking community judging the event.
Wiping the floor clean in the competition, Chris Firbank from AG Express in Geraldton took out four categories with all three of his trucks.
His 100-year Mack Superliner won truck of the show and Best Paint Job and his Old Valueliner was a hit also, taking home the Best Classic Truck.
With truck lovers living the dream and rodeo fun to be had, the People’s Choice award went to a classic one owned by local legend Colin Swift, who passed a few years ago.
Swift’s children took up the challenge of restoring the 1985 Western Star Heritage truck and their hard work attracted 400 votes to win.
Other categories and their winners include:
- Best Mack: Chris Micke (2023 Mack Titan)
- Best Kenworth: Paul Reeve (2016 Kenworth T659)
- Best Western Star: Dylan Noble (1988 Western Star Heritage 4864)
- Best Japanese: Lloyd Radford (1997 Isuzu FSR 900 Tilt Tray)
- Best American: Ben Winch-Buist (2009 Kenworth C508)
- Best Rigid: Steve Gilbert (2021 Isuzu FXZ)
- Best Classic 30+: Jon Firbank (1990 Mack Valueliner)
Doble says the mix of entertainment was “insane and highly popular” among the crowd, young and old, there was something for everyone.
“They had an Old McDonald’s Farm and free pony rides as well, which was great,” she says.
“Kids activities like inflatables, the bucking bull and bouncy castles. Then of course the concert going late into the night which everyone absolutely loved.
“Seeing the amount of people that came and had a look at the trucks and encouraged us with all the amazing positive feedback that we had. It was just a really great day.”