Bryan Bateman

Inducted into the Shell Rimula Wall of Fame at ReUnion 2002.

Bryan was born on Anzac Day, 1931 the son of a true Anzac, Rupert C. Bateman and his wife Edna.  In his teens Bryan was a bit of a rebel and was ultimately shipped off to a sheep station near Leigh Creek in South Australia.

When he returned to Adelaide a few years later he joined the Fire Brigade before eventually starting an apprenticeship in tool and die making.  He emigrated to Canada and took up work in that field, working for the Chrysler Corporation.

He later worked in various positions at Dominion Auto Carriers in Ontario before returning to Australia in 1971.  Bryan returned to determine if there was a market for his approach to transporting automobiles and trucks from manufacturers to dealers.  After establishing that there was a need, he started the Complete Auto Transit Company in Broadmeadows to design, engineer and manufacture automobile trailers.  His first contract was with the Ford Motor Company's Australian facility which was also located in Broadmeadows. 

After several years of successfully serving the Australian Automobile Industry Bryan sold his business to a subsidiary of Ansett and went scoria mining north of Melbourne.  Bryan died prematurely in February, 1987 at the age of 55.  It was a shock and great loss to his family and friends.  There is no denying Bryan left his mark in the road transport industry.