Henry Draper
Inducted into the Shell Rimula Wall of Fame at ReUnion 2013.
Henry James Draper, known as Harry, was born 18 December 1940 in Dromana, Victoria. He grew up with an interest in anything mechanical and it came as no surprise to the family that he dreamt as of growing up to become a truck driver.
Harry was 17 before he finally sat behind the wheel of a truck. From there he went on to own and operate several trucks of his own and, during his 54 years in the industry has also spent long periods of time driving for many different companies.
The first truck Harry actually owned was a beautiful red Diamond T powered by a 175 horsepower turbo charged Cummins diesel . Harry used this truck to subcontract to Thomastown Transport carrying general freight but usually BF Goodrich tyres to all states of Australia. The Diamond T was later traded on a C-line International but Harry continued to carry freight for Thomastown Transport. After five years of subcontracting Harry decided to take things a bit easier and sold the truck. He then drove a company FR700 Mack for Thomastown which he purchased from the company after three years.
When Harry decided to move to Queensland he sold the Mack and began driving for Tonkris Transport on the arduous Brisbane to Perth run across the notorious Nullarbor Plain. He did this for a short time before going on to drive roadtrains for Joe Bonnica who was a sub-contractor TNT Darwin Express. Harry also spent some time working for Bill Hall driving the Brisbane to Darwin run for Brambles Transport and later for Paul Massingham who also subcontracted to TNT on the Brisbane to Darwin run. Harry also later worked for Gainfire Transport carting between Brisbane and Karumba in the Gulf.
Harry, chosing to stay closer to home and spend more time with his family, took a job with the well known Brisbane based family transport company of Armestos Transport hauling general freight interstate for the next three years. Harry then joined AEG for two years after which he got a local job with Thiess Services where he has been for the past eight years.
