Jimmy Bone

Inducted into the Shell Rimula Wall of Fame at ReUnion 2010.

When Jim Bone left school he started an automotive mechanical apprenticeship with his father who conducted his oun auto mechanical workshop. Jim Bone senior had driven his own truck delivering groceries and essential services locally and interstate during WWII.

When Jim finished his apprenticeship he decided that truck driving would be his profession and started working for Stylemaster Clothing Company driving a Thames Trader between Newcastle and Sydney.

Jim went on to drive for a few Newcastle companies initially learning his trade in a 1948 early model Dodge with a 4 speed gearbox and separate lever for the 2 speed diff. He also drove an Albion Reiver and an early model Fargo. One of his earliest mistakes was when he attempted to deliver goods to Gladstone NSW when they were meant for Gladstone QLD. Jim's first Diamond T was discovered behind a garage in the central coast of New South Wales. To most, it didn't appear to have much potential, but to Jim it was the find of his life. He loved his Diamond Ts. After lots of work, it looked the part and served him well for many years. Jim moved his family to Raymond Terrace and started the family business of Raymond Terrace Roadways.

As the years went on he gradually replaced his Diamond Ts with Mack trucks be he did purchase one new truck, it was a White 4000. Jim hauled Molasses up and down the Pacific Highway and general freight all over the eastern seaboard and into the mines of Queensland. Jim was a bloke who always believed everybody deserved a fair go and he hated the inaptitude of politicians. He always looked optimistically at the future continuing his passion right up until his untimely death from cancer at 60.

His son Steven and daughters, Jennifer and Suzanne, all have national truck licences and drive trucks and roadtrains in the Territory and central New South Wales.