Howard Dicker

Inducted into the Shell Rimula Wall of Fame at ReUnion 2012.

Howard Dicker was born in Kingston, South Australia, on the 2 April 1932 and has lived in that same town ever since. He and Harold, his father, have been pioneers of the transport industry in the area.
At the age of nine Howard started delivering wood to the elderly in his pedal car and trailer for the price of two shillings per load. When he left school at 13 he started driving a 1927 Dodge buckboard and spread super with a Horwood Bagshaw one bag spreader.

After he became licensed to drive when he turned 16 Howard started driving a 1942 Ford Blitz. Now, at the age of 80, he still loves nothing better than getting behind the wheel and spending the day driving one of HF Dicker & Son's trucks.

He has seen many things in his life as a truckie. One of the major events in the industry was the railway strike in 1950 when the truck drivers were given six week permits to move the wool and backload with super. Howard remembers how the drivers just kept on going, 24 hours a day, back and forth, as long as they could keep their eyes open. Unfortunately at the conclusion of the strike the freight was returned to the railway and nothing had improved for the trucking industry even though it had kept up supply.

Howard has built cranes, forklifts and modified trucks. He was not just a capable driver but a mechanic and engineer as well.

Not only has he carted freight of various goods but has worked with tippers, loaders, graders, dozers and excavators. When work in the area was quiet in 1974 Howard moved his tippers to Penong and drove for Arthur Hall building the highway from Penong to Yalata.
In 1991 Howard was named Australian Citizen of the Year by the local council in recognition of the years of voluntary work he had given to his community. He was always ready to give both his time and his equipment for worthy causes.

He has been a wonderful role model with strong work ethics; a fine example for those who follow in his footsteps. Howard's company has worked for the Baker Group for many years and Dale Baker speaks highly of this man who has done his job efficiently and cost effectively.