Brian Darcy

Inducted into the Shell Rimula Wall of Fame in 2023.

Brian ‘Darc’ Darcy was born in June 1943 in Camperdown, Victoria. From an innocuous and humble start in the paddocks of their family’s farm near Cobden, Victoria, brothers Brian and Brendan (RIP) Darcy started Darcy Bros Cartage. It was the mid-1960s when, with a single Bedford truck carting hay, the business began.

Brian went on to impress his future wife Margaret (RIP) on a date to Melbourne with the promise of seeing the lights of the city. Brian forgot to mention that he was carting a load of pigs to the city abattoirs. He must have impressed Margaret as they were married for 55 years and had nine children whom Brian was always proud of.

Moving to the ‘Big Smoke’ of Melbourne and living in Kensington near the Newmarket Sale Yards, ‘Darc’ took on a position as a Meat Lumper, a job involving loading and unloading animal carcasses. He also carted calves, chickens, fruit and vegetables to Footscray Markets, carting groceries in a Ford Transit Van with a broken leg. He then made deliveries to the Melbourne wharves.

The new Fleet expanded to semis and trays - with a big stint in Moree carting Cotton and LCL (Less than Container Load) and container haulage. There was also a foray into international air freight where Brian was hauling full coffins to the airport as he had one of the first Tautliners in use at Melbourne Airport.

The fleet was never a truck show of show ponies however the fleet did include a variety of vehicles including Merc 1418, S2 Kenworth, Kenworth K-series, Ford D Series, Leylands and more. They got the job done and paid the bills.

Brian is regarded as a true gentleman and scholar of Australian Trucking history. He is renowned for a laugh and going out of his way to advise and help anyone.