Roy Bright

Inducted into the Shell Rimula Wall of Fame at ReUnion 2014.

Roy Graham Bright, born in Leongatha in 1933, lived most of his life in Dumbalk, South Gippsland, where he went on to become a well respected business man and prominent community leader with an involvement that spanned over 60 years. After leaving school Roy worked on the family farm and for his uncles working horses, tractors, earth moving machinery and farm equipment.

At just 18 years of age, in 1952, Roy started his own contract business carting milk and cream in cans for the Dumbalk Milk Depot & Butter Factory with two Ford Blitz trucks. The Blitz trucks doubled up as transport and accommodation for Roy and his mates making many weekend trips to local dances and the sea side. After he completed his National Service Training the business expanded, and in 1957, his brother Mervyn joined him to form 'R & M Bright' which operated for the next 35 years. Roy treated his drivers as family and helped many get into operating their own trucks. His fleet included Ford Blitz, Austin, Bedford, Diamond T', White, Volvo, International and Scania. Loading included blue metal, fertilisers, gravel, washed sand, baled hay, silage, briquettes and general produce. Roy held a weighman's licence and also operated the weigh bridge in Meeniyan.

In the 1990s, the business expanded to cover Melbourne, Geelong and other regional areas. This business continues to operate today under the direction of Roy's son Neil. It is a lead sub-contractor to Redpath & Pulham. Roy had a passion for restoring old trucks and tractors, having successfully restored a 1924 SR 24 model International Hand Winch Tip Truck and numerous tractors over the years. The truck and one of the tractors is displayed in the National Road Transport Hall of Fame.

Roy was also heavily involved in many local community groups including sports clubs, the Dumbalk Hall Committee, Fire Brigade and the Leongatha Rotary Club. He was also a passionate supporter of Richmond Football Club and he loved his country music.

Roy was a man who always helped others before himself. He retired from his business in 2005, however he always kept a keen interest in its operations and progress. Roy passed away in December 2012 aged 79 years after a Parkinson's related illness and is buried at Meeniyan Cemetery. Roy was a true pioneer of Gippsland trucking community.