In this next installment from the Mid-America Trucking Show, we sit down with Raiko Graveran who has one of the most amazing stories you will ever hear. We also sit down with Twins, Carl & Peter Caporal who kept us entertained with their passion for the industry, their banter and amazingly positive attitudes.
We met Garth through our mate Mike Minogue and they’ve been mates for many years. Garth has been around, driven all types of vehicles and is still doing it with an undeniable love for the old days, fast trucks, hot rods and horses, hence the nickname Cowboy. It was great to hear his story and we are sure you’ll enjoy it as well.
We met Mick through our great mate Mike 'HOSS' Minogue and he was more than happy to come on and tell his story. He believes that if people don't tell these stories there will be no history left. He has a great story to tell including his days at CJ Dean and we know you'll enjoy it as much as we did. Check out the Road to Compliance MASTERCLASS https://prodrivecompliance.com.au/etn/road-to-compliance/
Dwayne & Janelle Nienberg have one hell of a story and are two of the nicest people we have ever met. It was a pleasure getting to know them both. Go check out them out on Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheDirtyOldTrucker
You’d have to be driving with your eyes closed not to notice a sea of red and white up and down the east coast of Australia. Starting back in the 50’s by Tom and Peter Lindsay, Lindsay Brothers had a permanent presence on our highways up until they became Lindsay Australia in 2002. This interview is with Peter Lindsay’s daughter Tracey who is heavily invested in keeping the memory of her father and uncle alive by organising reunions for the old drivers and recognising them for who they are – her...
We did many recordings at the Mid America Truck Show and amongst them was the delightful Miss Flatbed Red and her ‘Lost in the 70’s’ husband Chris Budke. These two live and breath historic trucking and a lot of you will already know Red from her YouTube interviews, that she has been conducting with ATHS Members for quite a few years – they are an incredible couple and we are indebted to the help that they gave us while over there. You’ll love their story and undeniable passion.
Peter Baldwin was mentioned many times in Rob Woolley’s podcast and Rob was instrumental in ensuring that Bruce captured Peter at his home in Renmark to hear this amazing mans story. Working for some legendary companies in outback Australia, Peter made a name for himself as both a driver and a Manager for companies enduring our harshest travel conditions. Pete’s now retired but his recollection of those days were fantastic and a steep learning curve in each one resulted in knowledge and resilien...
The Cleveland Mack Munchers have been iconic amongst the trucking community for many years with Frank Lenzi at the helm for over 45 years. His recent passing led to the closing of the company which was met with tributes flowing for the well respected icon. A number of enthusiasts purchased examples of the old Cleveland fleet including Jarred Sacca, a heavy haulage operator from Mackay in Queensland. Jarred pulled as many strings as he could to get this podcast together with two ex-Cleveland empl...
Bruce has often mentioned his long term mate David Kent who we lost to cancer at the end of 2023. Dave and Deidre Kent were the proprietors of Spencer Gulf Coaches in Port Pirie and a recent catch up with their son, Jared and Dave’s best mate, David Walsh, allowed Bruce to sit with them both and reminisce about the awfully talented Dave and the impact he made on not only the bus and coach community but also the historic truck restoration community. Often described as a mechanical genius, Dave wa...
Nuriootpa Traders was a family owned and operated business for over 40 years and over this time grew to become the largest local transport company operating exclusively between the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and Adelaide areas. The company was sold to new owners in 2018 and continues to operate in the same capacity however, we managed to catch up with Kym Roocke, son of founders Jim and Denise Roocke, to get the first part of this fantastic story and it’s humble beginnings. www.copysouthbound....
The stunning Kuchel fleet has graced our roads for many years and was enough to have Bruce approach Jacob to ask him to sit down and tell the story of their long history in transport. Along with the trucking side, the company has also developed a reputation for producing some fine restorations out of their Barossa Valley workshops. The company was founded by Maxwell Kuchel over 50 years ago and is a true family business with all members working in the operation and is in its third generation of ...
Sharon and Bob Middleton are extremely well known in the transport industry, not only for their striking black, white and red fleet, but also for their constant battle to improve the industry, with tireless efforts lobbying for better conditions, treatment and acceptance from the authorities, and the general public. This discussion with them goes back to their grass roots, but also visits the recent legal battle that they faced, following a terrible accident involving one of their vehicles. Ther...
Following the interview with Keith Anderson in Toowoomba, his son David contacted us with a lead to Peter Zimm who had a strong affiliation with Leader Trucks after marrying into the family. The Leader story is exceptional in regard to ingenuity, resilience and trying to compete with big business in a small Australian market. Peter owns an incredibly rare Leader and like all enthusiasts, has researched and collaborated to ensure that the detail of these unique trucks is there for all of us to re...
We have to be honest, having a chat with Jon was something we debated for a long time however, one thing we hate at Copy Southbound is trial by social media so, after many recommendations from people we highly regard in the industry we approached Jon for an all out discussion about his life, his rise and fall, his life after HHA and of course, his passion for trucks in general. He wears his heart on his sleeve and we came away with a new mate as his passion and attention to detail is something t...
Glenn Nightingale operated out of the Wollongong area with his stunning light blue fleet of American trucks. Like everyone, he started tough and eventually was able to build up a strong clientele with reliability and service his key factors. After many years of operation, Glenn was approached to sell the company and now lives a quiet life in Ipswich where he met with Bruce to share his story. BANGERZ CLUB Join the Club | Copy Southbound...
A chance meeting on a road trip led Bruce to sit and record Greg and his story as an owner operator. Following a yarn at a caravan park, he agreed to share his life story as a simple, one-truck owner, battling away like so many others. Greg started his career back in a hard era of road transport and built his business with some strong customers and some strong trucks.
Bruce topped off his Southern adventure by catching up with Stephen O’Hare in Romsey, Victoria. For those guys out there older than me – Bruce’s age – the legend of Tyrone Malon’s Super Boss, Bruce McDonald’s Detroit Devil and Terry O’Hare’s Waltzing Matilda are Legendary. Stephen is Terry’s son and has recently written a book on the famous jet truck which also captures the history of Re Car and Terry’s incredible entrepreneurial brilliance in a way that had Bruce totally star struck. BANGERZ CL...
Damien Smith contacted us just before heading on our Southern trip and requested we interview his Uncle Mick following a bout of illness. It was meant to be as the plan was to travel straight through Heathcote so we were able to record these awesome members of a diehard trucking family. Bruce was amazed at his surroundings as he was picked up in a 1943 Ford Jailbar and taken to Mick’s parents house that was over 100 years old to sit and record Micks golden era trucking history with Damien by his...
After working for a couple of well known and respected transport operators, Alina Hawkins met her future husband Kane and started a transition into livestock cartage and road train driving. The two of them ran two-up for quite a few years before expanding the company and running a number of trucks which saw Alina expertly piloting one following her expert tuition. In 2016 she received the LRTAV Outstanding Industry Contribution Award and her ability to research, consult and communicate to rural ...
Copy Southbound has opened doors that we never imagined, but by far, the greatest gift has been the amazing people we’ve come to connect with. One amazing man was Barry Grimson, who became a great mate to Bruce and I, and as we soon discovered, was admired by all who knew him. His passing last week following a long battle with cancer cut deep and as tributes flowed across social media, the values and pride Sleepy had in the transport industry resonated with every heartfelt comment. As a small tr...
After fearing we’d be banned after Episode Number 1, we are bold enough to poke the bear yet again by bringing Bernie Learson back for Round 2!! In all seriousness, Bernie swallowed his pride and took a risk for us and we couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate 100 episodes than listening to him for another few hours to see what the last 4 years have held for him. It’s hard to put into words just how humbled we are with the continual messages of praise, wisdom, suggestions and admiration for...
Paul and Jenny Fellows reside in Deniliquin where they own and operate Fellows Bulk Transport. Not only are these two as genuine as they come, they have also made some amazing contributions to the transport industry and the community in regards to safety, education and promotion of road transport. Along with that, Paul is also the Chair of Natroad, Chair of Trucksafe and recipient of the John Kelly Memorial Award and was also Mayor of Edward River Council. And Jenny recently won the coveted Truc...
Continuing on Bruce’s Riveria trip, he caught up with Bernie Hayllar from Narrandera to get the story of long term company Hayllar Transport. A fair dinkum transport operation, Hayllar’s were well known in country NSW as well as up to Darwin where they operated road trains for many years. Bernie took the company over from his father following a unique sidestep out of the family business working in truck sales where he delivered some iconic mid 80’s show stoppers before returning to run this icon...
Bruce has been great mates with Dave Willis of Mangoplah for many years and often comments on his amazing knowledge of all things Mack in Australia. The chance to interview Dave ended up even better than expected when his father Matt and brother Andy joined the interview for a great insight into their family history. It’s obvious that Dave had no hope in his upbringing after hearing how Matt and Andy brainwashed him but he’s used it for eternal good in his knowledge of some of our early transpor...
We are fortunate to have an overwhelming band of supporters and followers with Copy Southbound but none fly the flag for us quite like Mike Minogue of Coolamon near Wagga in NSW. Like so many, Mike has a story that stems back to his childhood where a physical setback didn’t stop him from pursuing his dream. He drove for many years and we are fortunate to call him a friend of the podcast and a true mate of ours. You’re an inspiration Mike and a true Cowboy of the Transport Industry, sincerely in ...
JOIN THE BANGERZ CLUB - Join the Crew | Copy Southbound We’ve always loved the Muscat fleet of Kenworth’s with Bruce regularly boring me with the same old details of each of the 900 Legend’s – once is enough mate, I get it! Anyway, he asked the boys how they felt about an interview and although incredibly humble, they agreed, and with their Dad Tony in the background correcting the conversation from time to time, they told the story of their mentors and inspirations behind one of the most elegan...
We’ve always loved the Muscat fleet of Kenworth’s with Bruce regularly boring me with the same old details of each of the 900 Legend’s – once is enough mate, I get it! Anyway, he asked the boys how they felt about an interview and although incredibly humble, they agreed, and with their Dad Tony in the background correcting the conversation from time to time, they told the story of their mentors and inspirations behind one of the most elegant fleets gracing the Eastern Seaboard. This was also the...
We attempted to interview Dennis over a year ago thanks to a recommendation from our mate Glenn Reedman. Unfortunately, Dennis took ill in the middle of recording and it’s taken this long to finally get back there and capture this unique person’s story. From driving trucks to rolling them over (on purpose), this very dry and humorous bloke still had us laughing as he recounted how he stumbled into the film industry and ended up as an icon to all who know him.
Following many years as a driver and then a long stint in Management, Les Tucker teamed up with Colin Walters to form Success Freightlines in Geelong. They operated Australia wide before his retirement and Les was kind enough to sit with us to discuss his history and career that spanned over 6 decades. We must thank Adam ‘Lefty’ Hotchin for his introduction to Les along with his incredible photo history that helped pull this story together.
Bruce has been mates with Rob Woolley for close to 30 years and refers to him as a “font of knowledge” due to his unmistakeable eye for detail with all things transport related. He’s been waiting for a long time to corner Rob for a podcast and finally the starts aligned and they managed to sit for a marathon effort and record the history of S.C Woolley Haulage. Bruce definitely retains a lot of information on transport but credits Rob with filling in the blanks. BANGERZ Club Join the Crew | Copy...
