Paul & Robyn Chapman
Inducted into the Shell Rimula Wall of Fame at ReUnion 2014.
Paul Stephen John Chapman (Chappy) was born at Norwood in 1951. As a small child he loved practising reversing the family's tractor and cart. He was destined to drive. In 1970 Paul started work for AG & MJ Davey at Narrung in South Australia carting livestock, hay, general and bagged super. In 1972 Paul and wife, Robyn, bought their first truck, an International ACCO with a V8 Cummins. They married in December that year. Robyn obtained her licence and together they went to work all over Australia.
They subcontracted interstate for Scotta Transport to Sydney and Newcastle before going to Brisbane with Bell Bros WA. Loading included John Shearer farming machinery from Adelaide, mixed freight from Brisbane to the west, whale meal from Albany to Toowoomba, produce from Gatton to Adelaide, Brisbane and Darwin and with a roadtrains to Mt Morgan from Tennant Creek.
In 1976 Paul and Robyn moved to Coonalpyn to start a livestock transport business with a three deck crate. The business soon grew to three vehicles. Paul drove and organised loading while Robyn managed in the office. In 1988 they changed to four deck crates progressing to three B-doubles in 1992. They carted boat sheep to Portland and Adelaide. Two tippers and a fridge van were eventually included in the fleet. Their passion for the road transport industry encouraged Robyn to write a submission to a transport inquiry in 1983. This led to Paul and Robyn forming the Livestock Transport Association of South Australia (LTASA) with support from other transport operators. This association is now an integral part of the industry providing a voice to the regulators and uniting operators. Paul served seven years as President and several years as a council member with the Australian Livestock Transport Association (ALTA).
Paul and Robyn both received life membership with LTASA for their contribution to livestock transport over many years. Paul received life membership from the ALTA. Both feel privileged and honoured to be in an industry where they have made lifelong friends.
