Desmond Goodfield

Inducted into the Shell Rimula Wall of Fame in 2023.

Desmond Goodfield was born in 1943 in Beverly, Western Australia. In 1962, at the age of 19, Des was employed by Southern Transport in Albany, Western Australia, the first bulk grain transport company in the state. He continued to cart grain for Southern Transport for the following 29 years. Over the years he drove several trucks including a brand-new B model Mack, R600 and a 1960s Leyland. 

With his dedication to be at the farms early to load grain, he would arrive before daylight, and light a fire to keep warm. Des was very well known for his punctuality, and this caused friendly rivalry between other drivers.  Des loaded trucks by manually shovelling grain into the auger, he would then have to tarp the 50-tonne payload, quite often in high winds. 

In the off season, he carted superphosphate fertiliser from the Albany Port to the Superworks. At the Superworks, the fertiliser was processed and bagged, he then delivered it to the farms where he would undertake the labour-intensive task of manually unloading and stacking it for the farmers. The Superworks is where he met his future wife Maxine, who supported him wholeheartedly throughout his working life.  

Des also worked for Boral, distributing gas around Southern Western Australia. He would also take mining equipment and furniture to Broome, Derby and the Pilbara for Swan Transport. On one memorable trip to Broome, Des jumped out of his truck and landed on a nail that went right through his foot. Due back in Perth and determined to be punctual, he continued to drive with a very painful and swollen foot until the point it became unbearable. He then sought a solution to continue driving by finding a stick to hold the accelerator down and made it back on time. 

After 29 years, Southern Transport lost the Grain Carting Contract to OD Transport. Des continued to cart grain for OD transport until he purchased his own Kenworth truck, which he maintained himself. In 1995, he traded his Kenworth for a new Mack Elite 454, which he named ‘Immackulate’. Des took great pride in maintaining his truck and trailers to live up to the name. He then joined with other owner drivers from OD Transport to form their own company, Southern Regional Transport (SRT). Des continued to cart grain and fertiliser for SRT until he sold his share in the company. 

Remaining in the industry, Des continued to work carting and spreading super and lime for local farmers in a cab over International truck for about 5 years. After this, Des semi-retired, however, he continued to be involved in trucks, working part-time as a truck pilot. He piloted loads from Albany, Darwin, Geraldton and to the Eastern states. 

Now officially retired, Des resides in Geraldton, Western Australia and still enjoys being on the road, taking frequent trips in his caravan and keeping in touch with fellow truckers.