Philip White

Inducted into the Shell Rimula Wall of Fame in 2023.

Philip John White, known as ‘Rocket’ was born in November 1954 in Melbourne. Philip’s father worked for Ansett in the office and would take him into work, which included going to the office as well as on bus tours.

Philip always loved trucks. He got his first job driving a truck interstate with Gem Transport, owned by Graham and Elaine Mitchell, also inductees. It was one of the best days of his life when they trusted him, as a young man of 19, to drive their precious 1960s International truck, the last of the AB Models. One of Philip’s worst days at Gem Transport was when he had to tell Graham that the truck had dropped a tail shaft. Philip took pride in keeping the truck clean and well maintained and did not want to give Graham that bad news.

Phil worked for Albury Border Transport from 1974 to 1976 as an interstate driver, before going to Ansett Freight Express. Phil drove for Ansett from 1977 to 1989, carting general freight. He was the youngest driver they put on the linehaul, an achievement he is very proud of. Philip, a company driver, always took pride in the vehicles he drove, lovingly washing, polishing and caring for them as his own.

Phil worked for R & R Addison between 1977 and 1989 driving Ron’s W Model Kenworth as a casual interstate tanker driver. It was this experience that led Phil to a job at Mobil as a tanker driver. Whilst working for Mobil between 1990 to 2001 delivering fuel, gas and aviation fuel he won the Mobil inaugural driver of the year award in 1999. Phil gained his B Double licence and then drove Mobil B Doubles. He gained his driver trainer certificate at Decca.

Phil worked at Tri Tankers as a tanker driver, driving their Sterling trucks from 2001 to 2002 before moving on to Toll Liquids from 2002 until 2015. He was with Linfox on linehaul until he retired in 2019.

Philip is retired and spending time with his wife Glenda. He is tending his garden, traveling and still riding his beloved Suzuki motorbike. Phil enjoys looking at photos of old trucks, many he has had the pleasure of driving and reminisces about the good times on the road and friendships made.