Byron Bonney

Inducted into the Shell Rimula Wall of Fame in 2021.

Byron Lloyd Bonney was born in December, 1942 in Burnie, Tasmania into a transport family. He left school at 15 to pursue a career in the family business where he worked in various roles and eventually managed the Bonney Mix Concrete division. In 1977, Byron had the opportunity to purchase the family’s tree bark division and establish Lloyds North.

Byron led by example and was extremely driven. He worked within all levels of the business and put in long hours to stay on top of operations. In 1978, when Byron took delivery of his first new Mack prime mover, Mack Trucks flew him to the Mack Factory in Allentown, Pennsylvania, USA, where he was presented with a Mack Key to the City. The company has since restored a 1978 Mack R model as a tribute.

Byron was an innovator and visionary, constantly looking to improve productivity. He was the first to use articulated dump trucks for the hydro electric scheme and introduced mechanised forest harvesting and in-forest wood chipping in Tasmania.  Byron prided himself on being able to operate all forms of machinery and this passion led him to obtain his pilot’s licence and purchase several aircraft.

In the early eighties, Byron established Lloyds North Petroleum and a close relationship with Caltex which led to the acquisition of the remaining two Caltex Distributors in the state and the start of a new company, called Caltas. Byron always put safety and his employees first which was demonstrated in 2006 when Lloyds North and Caltas became the first Tasmania companies to be accredited in the Truck Safe program.

In 2010 Byron purchased a Geelong based Caltex distributor, subsequently renaming it Bonney Energy. Byron's legacy has continued as Bonney Energy is now one of Australia’s largest privately owned fuel distributors.

Byron was married twice, first to Judy with whom he had his children, Gina and Philip and grandson Brodie, and later to Kaylene.

He passed away in July 2013.