Robert Daniel

Inducted into the Shell Rimula Wall of Fame in 2018.

Robert John Daniel was born in Sydney NSW in 1951. The son of a truck driver, Robert had always dreamed of becoming an owner driver. At the age of 25 Robert restored a 1958, 630 Diamond-T and started his long driving career doing a Sydney to Brisbane run. The Diamond-T was replaced 3 years later, by an International 3070 Eagle. With this truck Robert ran all over Australia. Robert then purchased an F12 Volvo which gave him permanent work from Sydney to Brisbane. From this Robert was able to gain permanent back loads of produce from Brisbane to Sydney and Melbourne. This in turn enabled the change from flat tops, to refrigerated vans.

Over the years Robert was able to gain extra work out of Sydney, and this enabled Robert Daniel Haulage to handle a lot of freight heading north, which created work for a lot of sub contractors. With the help of his wife Kerry running the office, Robert was able to continue his much loved driving career. Robert was very dedicated to his driving, and his equipment was always in tip top condition. He was always known as the first one to stop and lend a hand to enyone in trouble.

Over the 35 years of Robert and Kerry operating Robert Daniel Haulage, they have had 2 LTL's, a Kenworth 950, a Kenworth 904, and 2 Kenworth Aerodynes. After taking possession of the first Aerodyne, they upgraded to their fist B-Double set of refrigerated vans. Trips then included far north Queensland, Perth, Adelaide, Robinvale, and anywhere produce was required to go.

Robert has fond memories of the early days of his driving career, and many mates he met during the good and bad times travelling together on the highways. Robert decided to give up the road, and became a linehaul allocator for Followmont Transport.

Robert retired in March 2017, and he and his wife Kerry moved to the country town of Nanango QLD, but the call of the highway was too much, and now Robert is doing a weekly trip from Brisbane to Cairns.