Daniel Cole

Inducted into the Shell Rimula Wall of Fame at ReUnion 2005.

Daniel Raymond Cole started as a heavy vehicle driver at 18 years of age with the State Electricity Commission of Victoria moving 20, 30, and 40 ton transformers around Victoria, jacking them on and off the float onto sites. There were no cranes in those days.

At the age of 20 years, he was made Heavy Lift Man for the Commission, graduating to the 90 ton transformers to be transported to the Yallourn Power Station. While at the SEC, Dan was one of a trio of truckies responsible for transporting a 78 ton transformer from South Wharf  to Yallourn. Bridges and roads needed to be strengthened before the load could complete the 100 mile journey on its 60 rubber-tyred wheels . However this was not his most valuable load.  Don, as part of the same trio, helped cart a new sabre jet to Avalon for sound barrier tests.    .As he wanted to become an owner-driver to improve his financial position, he started with Colliers Interstate Transport, then Ansett Freight Express, Brambles and Ed Cameron's Interstate.Now retired at 75 years of age, Dan is a resident of Tewantin, Queensland.