Sidney James Burgess
Inducted into the Shell Rimula Wall of Fame at ReUnion 2009.
Sidney James Burgess was born 12th September, 1932 and he passed away on 9th May, 2009. He initially started work as a motor mechanic in Armidale, NSW. During this time he got to drive several of the local carrier's vehicles and realised he wanted to make truck driving his career.
He went on to make driving his life's work for 59 years working for many different companies and driving many different trucks.
He first started doing local work with Mr I Forrester and then with Mr Eric Douglass in a Chev Maple Leaf tipper. He started long distance driving in an EHz Reo Diamond for Mr J Nyhan and then did a spell on fruit haulage from New England to Brisbane and Sydney in a Black Diamond International. He then put his skills to the test by hauling logs from state forests in a W22-20 White Speed Wagon and later, an ex-army left-hand drive Mack with timber jinker.
After a long spell wool carting for the Kelly Bros, he went to work for the Armidale Shell Fuel Depot doing local fuel deliveries, and bulk haulage from Brisbane to Sydney in Accos and a 180 International. He continued carting fuel for Lowes Mobil Fuel Depot doing bulk haulage to Brisbane in a B-double Mack. He had a short spell carting CIG gas bottles before returning to relief work with Trial Bay Fuel Tankers driving Mack and Kenworth tankers. Sid decided he needed a change and went to work for Ansett Freight Express doing a run from Armidale to Coonabarabran and Forbes in Kenworths. The proudest moment of his career was when he was selected as the first and only relief driver in Australia for Ansett Freight Express. After recovering from mild heart problems Sid resumed his career in 1992 driving coaches. He started as a relief driver with Pioneer Express driving the Brisbane to Sydney run. He also worked for a couple of local coach companies in Armidale and Tamworth.
After 59 years of driving Sid ended his career retiring from Edwards Coaches in February, 2007. Sid was very passionate about his work and was highly respected. He was a devoted family man who always enjoyed taking his family on water-skiing holidays.