Wesley Blacker
Inducted into the Shell Rimula Wall of Fame in 2023.
Wes Blacker was born in Blackall in 1948, where he attended school until 1962. He left school for his first job with a Scrub Pulling/Dam Sinking Contractor working in the Blackall, Warrego and Maranoa regions. Wes learnt how to ‘do it tough’ while driving heavy machinery, low loaders and trucks.
Wes married his wife Sharon, who was also from Blackall, in 1967 in their hometown. Two years later Wes’ dream of driving trucks commenced. He went to work with Stockwell Blackall Freighting Co. Wes drove an Acco body truck for a few months. His first road train was a B Model Mack with 2 single axle trailers, he was mainly carting sheep and cattle. Wes worked his way through the ranks whilst gaining experience and valuable knowledge, with and from older drivers.
Wes remained employed when Stockwells’ and Stock Overland Services amalgamated to become Blackall Freighters in 1972. He carted wool to Brisbane and returned loaded to Blackall with ‘almost anything loads.’
Wes’ main freight was cattle, which took him all over Queensland as well as interstate to the Northern Territory, New South Wales and South Australia. He drove every type of Mack from B Models to a Super Liner which was powered by an 8V92T GM.
Wes was the proud driver of the first W Model Kenworth to be purchased by Blackall Freighters. The truck was complete with a fully electronic 8V92T D.DEC Engine, being the first able to pull a road train in Australia. Wes drove this truck until 1989 when Blackall Freighters sold all equipment at auction.
After the sale of Blackall Freighters, Wes took the job at the local council where he drove the local council truck as well as working as a grader operator.
Even after retiring in 2014 Wes’ passion for truck driving never waned – he was always keen to help local truck owners with local weekend work and Toowoomba/Dinmore runs.
Wes still loves to catch up with other truck drivers and mates to yarn about trucks and machinery. He and Sharon continue to live in Blackall. Wes is grateful that retirement has allowed him more time to concentrate on his family of two children, four grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
