Ronald “Timmy” and Barbara Byrnes

Inducted into the Shell Rimula Wall of Fame in 2022.

Ronald Keith Byrnes (better known as Timmy) was born in Lansdowne, New South Wales in May 1937. He finished school at the age of 14 and went to work cutting timber in the surrounding area until he was 22 years old. Barbara Anne Hammond was born in August 1939 and grew up in Moto, New South Wales. Ronald and Barbara married in 1960 and went on to have three children.

Ronald, with no previous connection to the transport industry, envisaged making a living by driving his own truck.  To fund this venture, he and Barbara sold the family car, a 1957 Holden sedan, in order to purchase a second-hand Ford truck.  As the Ford was originally used as a gravel truck, extensive modifications were necessary before it could be used for road haulage.

In the early years, Ronald had multiple roles including owner, driver and mechanic, whilst Barbara ran the day-to-day operations out of their family home in Cundletown on the mid north coast of New South Wales. The couple had no home phone, so clients would leave messages at Else’s Service Station in Cundletown and one of them would have to call in everyday to pick them up.

In 1961 the business became a partnership and, by taking advantage of Ronald’s background and connections in the timber industry, they began carrying timber and pre-cut homes from Herons Creek Timber Mill to Newcastle and Sydney, returning with steel for local engineering firms.  In 1975 the partnership became a company, Byrnes Transport Pty Ltd. This was a big year as it saw the company grow and move to the present site on Lansdowne Road, Cundletown. They also employed their first office worker.

As manufacturing increased in the Manning Valley area, Byrnes Transport Pty Ltd grew as well.  To meet the demand, Ronald and Barbara purchased many trucks over the years, including Ford, Mack, Volvo, Mercedes, Freightliner and Kenworth prime movers.

In 2022, the fleet consists of 14 prime movers (eleven Kenworths and three Freightliners) and 28 trailers of various combinations.  The company has secured long term contracts with major Australian companies which should foster steady growth for the company in the coming years.

Ronald and Barbara are now enjoying retirement; however, Ronald did keep and use his truck license until the age of 82. Their son, Deane, now manages the business, supported by his wife and their two sons.