Phillip Burkinshaw

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

Philip George Burkinshaw was born in 1953 at Wagga Wagga, N.S.W., the second son of Ray Burkinshaw who had established Burkinshaws Transport in 1942. Ray ran the business from the family property in Lockhart. His fleet carted livestock throughout the more remote regions of New South Wales and Victoria. When he retired, his sons went on to continue the family tradition.

Philip had just turned 15 when he left school to work for his father as a labourer in Lockhart. When he was old enough he gained his 'Farm licence' which permitted him to drive loaded trucks to the nearest suitable railway station. Somehow this was interpreted to mean Sydney, Melbourne and anywhere else Ray sent him. The first truck he drove was a 1956, R180 International powered by an 80hp Black Diamond. He hauled livestock and wool to Melbourne returning with local groceries and general freight. Phil learned to drive the hard way, on the job, but he picked up the ropes quickly.

At the ripe old age of 21 Phil bought his first truck; it was a 1973 Ford Louisville 9000 with a 295hp 903 Cummins. He transported a variety of goods, including beer, from down south to Queens- land during the beer strike of the 1970s. When it was time to up- grade Phil chose a 1984, 141 Scania, 385hp V8 and concentrated on fuel haulage. Later on he purchased a 1981 W model Kenworth and began subcontracting  to Cornell's Petroleum  in Lockhart, where he hauled fuel tankers for the next 20 years. During these years Phil met a lot of people and made many life-long friends. He also married and had two daughters, Joanne and Suzanne, raising them while he was working out of Lockhart.

In 1994 another business undercut Phil's contract leaving him to find business elsewhere. He sold his truck to Post's Transport and moved the family to Brisbane for a fresh start. Phil then drove fuel tankers in and around Queensland for Finemores and Toll for the next fifteen years until they too lost their contracts. Philip moved on to Brian Booths Transport hauling long loads. Finally deciding to try and semi 'retire' Phil gave up the regular work taking odd jobs when it suited. Today, he still keeps his hand in the trucking industry doing odd jobs - it remains in his heart and in his blood. Phil has dedicated 45 years of his life to the transport industry.