David Burke

Inducted into the Shell Rimula Wall of Fame at ReUnion 2009.

Charlie Burke was born in Charleville where he lived until he was 16. He completed his education at Downlands College and went to wok on the family property at Charleville.

His first truck driving job was with McMillans at the age of 19. He drove a Mack. From the age of 19 to 27, Charlie acquired experience within the industry of transport with cattle and sheep cartage, heavy haulage and general freight from Brisbane to Darwin.

In 1984 Charlie purchased his first prime-mover (a Dodge) and carted cattle and sheep in the Roma district for a couple of years. After then purchasing his first Kenworth, he sub-contracted general freight to Darwin from Brisbane. He moved to Roma in 1987 where he sub-sontracted for Scott Roadways carting cattle. He then made a brash move into the oil industry with water haulage and general freight throughout south-west Queensland. This move has been successful and in 1992 Charlie and his partner, Ian Forbes, became Roma Transport Services while still maintaining their own personal transport businesses. Their original equipmant was one Mack R700 truck with a Hiab crane and a "White" winch truck.

Roma Transport Services has grown over the years and now has rig winch trucks, loaders, cranes, low-loaders, body trucks as well as over 30 prime-movers which are predominantly Kenworths. Charlie co-ordinates most rig moves of the company, organising trucks and equipment, permits if needed and load distribution. His expertise and knowledge in this field is well-respected by many of his colleagues. Charlie is a member of the Queensland Trucking Association, Australian Road Train Association and LTAQ (Livestock Transport Association of QLD).

He has served on several road transport committees in the past and takes a serious interest and pride in the transport industry and its future.