Arthur Dorling
Inducted into the Shell Rimula Wall of Fame at ReUnion 2012.
Arthur (Mick) Dorling was born in 1943 at Korumburra, in the Gippsland area 120 kilometres south east of Melbourne. At the age of 13 he moved to the nearby community of Fish Creek and by the time he was 14 had commenced a motor mechanic apprenticeship. His passion for trucks and dozers was obvious as he started to repair local vehicles. By the time he was 22 he was determined to go driving trucks. After he obtained his semi licence he took a job with GF & MP Hams carting livestock to Newmarket and to the abattoirs in Melbourne.
During this time Mick also carted throughout regional Victoria and NSW driving Internationals, Dodges and Commer Knockers. He also did long haul trips in a 1418 Mercedes Benz for CTC towing fridge vans to Perth. He has also carted pigs in a lend lease Chevrolet and had a stint driving school buses and coaches.
Earlier mechanical training served Mick well as a truck driver. Sometimes he would be seen hard at work on the side of the road on which he was travelling rebuilding gear boxes, differentials and motors. He became known as a master mechanic. In 1970 when Mick married Eileen he went back to the tools fulltime. He often worked 24 hour shifts specialising in trucks and heavy machinery repairs. His uncanny ability to fix machinery drew customers from far and wide and he never had a spare moment. The spark for the trucking industry was ever present. In 1972 Mick purchased a Perkins powered TK Bedford and later a Detroit 653 powered KM Bedford. These were followed by a Mercedes Benz 2235 which Mick is currently operating.
Following in their father's footsteps, Mick and Eileen's three sons have all completed their diesel mechanic apprenticeships under their father's expert guidance and all three have subsequently joined the industry. David owns a Western Star B-Double and carts livestock. Andrew owns a Western Star with a tipper and dog and Robert drives locally and interstate. Mick and the boys have done almost any job required including rebuilding tippers and stock crates, manufacturing stock crates, lengthening chassis on trucks and trailers and rebuilding engines, gearboxes and differentials.
Mick has been recognised for his outstanding service to his community and his quiet and caring response to those in need of help both during and after a fire. Mick was awarded the CFA National Medal in 2001.Having made a huge contribution to the industry Mick Dorling has travelled nearly a million kilometres in heavy vehicles over many, many hours.
