Dean Earle
Inducted into the Shell Rimula Wall of Fame at ReUnion 2014.
Dean Thomas Earle was the third child of Frank and Melva Earle of Clare, South Australia. Dean and his father Frank had started a trucking company in 1955 delivering Neptune fuels to the local farming community in their one ton Commer. In 1960, Dean and wife Maxine formed DT & ME Earle Transport with a four ton International truck carting milk in cans for Golden North Dairies to Balaklava. When he upgraded his truck to an eight tonne the business began to expand enabling the carting of cattle, sheep and pigs. In 1973 Earle Transport bought its first semi-trailer. Maxine managed the office work and raised five children and Dean drove the trucks and managed logistics and maintenance. Three of their sons, Geoffrey, Rodney and Michael joined the family business while Brian and Julie chose other careers.
To keep up with the workload Dean bought more trucks, employed more staff, built sheds including a workshop and employed his own mechanic. Rodney also started in the family business with an apprenticeship as a mechanic. In June, 1993 Dean was hit by a push bike in Adelaide and sustaining head injuries that left him unable to continue driving. Geoff, Rodney and Michael took over the business under the watchful eye of Dean. In 2010 tragedy struck again when Geoff died suddenly after a heart attack. This left Rodney, Michael, Sue (Geoff's widow) and one of the drivers, Scott Gray (Bull Frog) to do the organizing. Dean's grandchildren, Luke, Nick and Thomas are now continuing in the family footsteps. For many years Earles carted supplies for the Birdsville Races
The business now operates several trucks including five Western Stars, five Freightliner Argosy prime movers and four Isuzus. To assist with loading hay, grapes and other produce seven JCB Tele Handlers are used. Dean's business, Earles Transport, is still based at its original site on Main North Road, north of Clare.
Dean's other interests now include playing bowls and bridge and supporting his football team, the Crows, attending his lodge meet- ings and supporting the local community.
