Alan (Buddo) Grant

Inducted into the Shell Rimula Wall of Fame at Re Union 2009.

At the young age of 13 Alan (Buddo) Grant embarked on his first experience as a truck driver working for Shaws Transport, Winton.  Roy Shaw employed Buddo on a weekly wage of $100.00 to cart cattle driving a 1977 International, single-decker down to the Diamantina area.

In those days licensing was not a big issue and at 13, Buddo did not even have a car licence let alone a truck licence.  Buddo later spent time working at local Main Roads and Council depots, spending time with his father 'Basha' driving the grader. Some years after, Buddo was employed as the McIver manager, with the help of his mate John 'Bull' Bailey as the book-keeper.  Enduring his years of managing experience he decided to venture on.  Married with a son and three daughters, Buddo and Bull formed Grants Livestock Transport in 1989. 

Buddo's first purchase was "Ole Backbone", a Ford Louisville LTL9000 International.  This soon became his favourite truck because of the spacious cab and good drive. The many tracks Buddo travelled ranged from as far as northern NSW and up to the NT border.  Numerous trips saw Buddo encounter a lot of bulldust, one-laned bituman and dirt tracks.  Currently he owns a fleet of seven Kenworth roadtrains, three concrete trucks, three water trucks and a crane.  He became known throughout the Winton community as a loyal, generous and hard working man, who is always there to help others.

One of his highlights was being part of the then World's Longest Roadtrain, pulling a fleet of 34 trailers at Winton's Outback Festival in 1995.  He is also a supporter of the Winton Truck Museum.  During the years of running and owning a business, the need for strong mateship and staff morale is evident and is keeping his dream alive.  Alan (Buddo) Grant is one of this country's great characters of the outback.