Len Bayliss

Inducted into the Shell Rimula Wall of Fame in 2019.

LEONARD RAY BAYLISS known as Len, was born in December 1938 at the Shirley Maternity Hospital in Quirindi NSW. After he left school he took on various jobs around the area including truck driving. Len enjoyed driving and soon decided he wanted to operate his own truck.

In 1966 Len took the leap and purchased an International tipper truck which he used primarily for gravel cartage and grain in the season. Len had learnt a lot in his other jobs so was considered to be quite handy on the job site. He even manufactured his own dog trailer for carting grain which lasted him for many years.

As the business grew and he got more work carting general as well as grain Len started employing drivers and buying more trucks . A few years later, in 1974, Len bought a Ford 7000 for grain, gravel and general freight. He also modified one of his trailers to cart gravel for the Quirindi Shire Council.

In 1976 Len and wife Sharon purchased what he called his "dream truck" - a Kenworth 290 cab over. This was the first of five Kenworth trucks they went on to own. In his beloved Kenworth 290 he carted many Massey Ferguson headers from Brisbane to all over New South Wales and general freight through all states of Australia except Tasmania. In later years Len swapped his fleet over to Western Star.

After many years as a sole trader Len started his company, Bayliss Trading Pty Ltd, in February 1989 of which he is still a director in 2019.

In 2019, at 82 years of age, Len is still a Director at Bayliss Trading Pty Limited and still works most days. He is only now just starting to take his workload down a gear and slow up a bit.

Times were tough when Len was on the road but he reflects fondly on his many years on the road and cherishes the many lifelong friendships he made along the highways. He is very community minded and is a much loved and respected member of both the Liverpool Plains trucking and farming communities.