Joseph Cassar
Inducted into the Shell Rimula Wall of Fame in 2019.
JOSEPH (JOE) CASSAR was born in Gozo, Malta in 1945 and came to Australia with his family at the age of five. After finishing school, he found work at a local chicken farm. His hard work paid off and by the age of 19 he was made manager. An urgent load of chickens for delivery to Griffith started the transport bug for Joe. Joe approached the owner of Brighton Transport, Charlie Attard who supplied trucks to the farm, and told him of his desire to operate his own truck. Charlie gave Joe an old truck and a tin of paint and became his mentor. In August 1969, again through hard work, he acquired his first new truck and Cassar Transport kicked off with a Commer. In the same year, Joe won a contract with Olssen Brothers at Yennora. He hand loaded and unloaded trucks full of 25kg salt bags for delivery to the rail and stores across Sydney.
It wasn't long before word got around about Joe's work ethics. He was introduced to Howard Green who had just started Greens General Foods Pty Ltd. As Olssen Brothers and Greens grew so did Cassar Transport. In 1997 Joe had enough and sold his business. At this point he had a fleet of 30. Retirement didn't suite Joe and in May 2000 he purchased an International S-line from Pedimont Transport at the age of 55 and started driving again. He still has a love for International. Joe has witnessed our industry grow and change from the days with no forklifts and tarping loads to the introduction of tautliner trailers. From the days when the TWU union's presence was strong, interest rates were 25%, the 2000-2001 recession to today's NHVAS legislation, Joe has weathered them all.
Today at the age of 73 Joe is at the yard by 5am each morning with that same tenacity and transport bug he had when he was 19. It is his hard work, honesty, fairness and overall being a great man that has led him to celebrate this year his 50th year in the road transport industry. We are extremely proud and honoured to be sharing this milestone with him.