George Cherote

Inducted into the Shell Rimula Wall of Fame in 2021.

In January 1934 George Cherote, aged six,  arrived in Sydney, New South Wales from Lebanon on the  Italian ship, “ Remo”. Travelling with his mother and three sisters, they joined his father and elder brother who had both arrived in the country some 12 months earlier.

George grew up on family owned farms and market gardens in the Hornsby, Waitara, Dural and Eastern Creek areas around Sydney. He quickly learnt how to plough, plant crops, drive and operate all types of machinery equipment and most vehicles. 

In 1954, after his marriage to Gloria, George purchased an Austin table top truck and worked around Sydney for twelve months. Trading the Austin in on a 1953 Ford F600, coupled to a 32’ strap trailer, George started driving interstate runs. George continued to own and operate his own semi trailers on interstate work until the mid 1990’s. He ran Ford F600’s, a Seddon, an International R190, a C Line International, a B61 Mack and  his last truck, an F86 Volvo. George did work for the Ford Motor Company, Brambles, TNT, Mayne Nickless, NQX and many others, hauling all types of freight to main cities across the country. 

George loved Australia and the “trucking life”. He was a fan of Banjo Patterson, Henry Lawson and Slim Dusty and would often sing and recite their words whilst playing his harmonica.  

In 1997, George retired to his hobby farm just outside of Dubbo, NSW where he enjoyed the country life until his death in 2011 at the age of 84 years.