Ricky Blinco

Inducted into the Shell Rimula Wall of Fame at ReUnion 2009.

Richard Thomas Blinco (Ricky) started his transport career at the age of 16 driving for his father,Tom, and later becoming a partner in W T Blinco & Son carting grain from Moree to Sydney.  At this time Ricky drove an old R-model Flintstone Mack.

His desire for more power gained a boost when he updated to a Cool Power R-model the following year.  It was in this R-model that Ricky started driving the Brisbane to Darwin run.  He was also engaged in rig work in Innaminka and the surrounding areas.

During this time Ricky purchased a W-model Kenworth repowered with a KTA 600 Cummins.  To this day the W-model is still his favourite truck.  Ricky branched out on his own and started Ricky Blinco Transport which has become a very successful business.  He currently operates a fleet of 16 triple-roadtrains of varying configurations all running to Darwin and Mt Isa from Brisbane.

As the pressure of increasing business consumed more of his time, his 30 years of driving gave way to more time at home-base, ensuring the business was operating efficiently, although he still retained his passion for being in the driver's chair.  His business has continued to grow.  Now with five sons of his own and one driving the Darwin run, another Blinco generation continues the transport tradition.

During his career, like many others, Ricky has had some good and bad times but his resilience has always got him through.  Certainly being with a friend as he passed away as the result of an accident was a low point, as was the passing of his dad, Tom.  Having Tom accidentally flick off the headlights as he was jumping in the bunk for a rest while Ricky was driving at night would go down as one of those fun times.

Ricky and his company have earned a reputation for integrity in business, just as his father had done.  He enjoys the friendship and respect of his colleagues in the transport industry.