Garry Leeson
Inducted into the Shell Rimula Wall of Fame in 2023.
Garry Neil Leeson was born in Bairnsdale, Victoria, in February 1952 to Ian and Jessie Leeson. Ian was a native hardwood logging contractor and Garry was a young boy when Ian was killed unloading logs at the sawmill. His mother eventually remarried Lindsay Crawford, a logging contractor from Bairnsdale who was in business with his brother Ivan.
After completing year 11 in 1969 Garry started working in the business and began operating machines for Lindsay. Lindsay also owned an International AB180 with a V8 engine which carted wood to the mill. When the business moved its base to Sale, Victoria, Lindsay preferred to use a local Shell distributor for their fuel and oils. In the early 70’s while Garry was living in Rosedale, he met his future wife, Vicki Wright. Garry and Vicki were able to buy the business from Lindsay in 1980.
From 1980 the business grew and Garry was keen to implement new ideas and concepts to the industry. Garry and Vicki’s business was the first to bring folding trailers to the mainland after seeing the idea in at Graeme Elphinstone’s company in Tasmania; obtain the first permit to cart logs using B double units; introduce Tri Axle trailers, bud wheels and super single trailers into the local industry; design air operated winches with Graeme Elphinstone and introduce twin steer logging trucks to Victoria.
Garry had initially inherited two Acco 3070’s with 903 Cummins engines, bought a T Line 2670 International and went on to buy Western Star trucks. In 1994 he bought his first Kenworth, a T950 which the company still owns and holds a special place in Garry’s heart. When Kenworth released the 950 Legend series, Garry had to have one! That truck is on the road, entrusted to Mark Howard who has driven for Garry for over 30 years.
Garry is highly regarded within the timber industry and has always had the ability to talk to anyone from the truck drivers and blokes on the ground, to people in government road departments and mill owners. Garry was also a very hands-on business owner. He would service and drive the trucks and machines - whatever needed to be done, Garry was right there.
Garry and his team hauled logs from Gippsland to Myrtleford and Colac, Victoria. Sometimes these jobs were done on weekends and in a convoy. One time they got lost in Melbourne and ended up joining in the Moomba parade!
Garry and Vicki retired in 2014 and live in Rosedale, Victoria. Garry still keeps an eye on the family business which is now run by his son and daughter.
