Roy Harlan

Inducted into the Shell Rimula Wall of Fame in 2023.

Roy Jeffery Harlan, known as Inspector Gadget was born in Tambo, Queensland in 1940. He lived on Mini Downs Station with his parents Joy and Jeff Harlan, along with his siter Jean. They ran sheep and horses.

In 1952, when Roy was only 12 years of age, he started driving trucks for Ken Eden. Roy had to use a pillow so he could see over the steering wheel. He continued driving for Ken until 1963. Duties included a mail run as well as carting wool 3 times a week from Charleville in Queensland to Brisbane, around 750km each way. It was during this time that Roy met his partner of 60 years, Delma May Park. They married in October 1963.

In 1964 and 1965 Roy drove Internationals for D’Henning and Sons Transport in Quilpie, Queensland. He then carted cattle and sheep for Clarrie Hansen between the end of 1965 and 1966 before moving to Auvergne Station in mid-1968, where he drove a Toyota truck for store runs and cattle carting.

In 1971 Roy packed up his family and took a job at Green Swamp which was an out station of Legune Station. He and the family stayed until 1973, during which time Roy was employed as a bore engineer. He created a small bit of history by putting down the first mono pump in the Northern Territory.

Between 1974 and 1976 Roy worked in various jobs throughout Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory as a truck driver, manager, mechanic, butcher and bore mechanic.

From 1976 to 1983 Roy was the General Maintenance Manager for Heytesbury Beef. It was here that Roy discovered his father was born on Victoria Rivers Down Station in 1912.

One of Roy’s special drives was during his time employed at Ucharonidge Station. He was asked to drive the John Flynn Bicentennial truck which was built for the Beebe Brothers. Truckin’ Life did an article on the truck which was later named Rig of the Month.

Between 2008 and 2010 Roy worked for Northern Machinery Katherine, NT, as a mechanic and truck driver. During his years of service to the industry Roy has driven Kenworths, Macks, Toyotas, Bedfords, Buffalos, Hinos, Internationals, Beavers, Man and Volvos. He has also worked for companies including Haytesbury Beef, Colinta Holdings, Ucharonidge Station, Peter & Fay Sherwin Company, Barkley Transport, Australian Station, XTX, Channel Cattle Company as well as Main Road Western Australia.

Roy Harlan is now enjoying his well-earned retirement.