Bob Hollis

From 1961 to 1964 Robert (Bob) Hollis worked with his father, Norman, as a general carrier for a local canning business before deciding to try his hand at interstate haulage. He took a job with Ed Cameron driving Kenworth Trucks on the Melbourne to Yass shuttle and carting produce to the Melbourne and Sydney markets until 1967. When Linfox Transport purchased Camerons Bob carried on with the new company and took general freight on the Melbourne to Adelaide and Sydney run. He did this until 1969 when he joined Ansett Freight Express and again drove Kenworths on the Yass to Nhill changeovers.

Starting in 1974 Bob went on to work the next ten years with Bolch Transport in Dandenong driving a variety of trucks delivering bulk glass from Melbourne to all capital cities. He then decided to take a two year break from the road to work at a local mill as a forklift and loader driver. On returning to the road he worked for Bowna Transport in Yea making general deliveries interstate before moving on in 1988 to work driving interstate for McKinnell and Goss. As well as carting general freight he hauled logs to Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide. During 1990/91, Bob hauled NQX freight for Hammonds and Jack Miller running Melbourne to Townsville and Cairns after which he relocated to Queensland. There he joined John Nash Transport carting bulk glass and Colgate products from Brisbane to Sydney and Melbourne.

In 1999 Bob began work with Jim Latter Transport in Archerfield, Brisbane. He spent the next ten years with Latters driving various marques including Scania and Kenworth pulling B-Doubles to Gladstone, Rockhampton and Emerald for NQX general freight.Bob retired at the age of 67 and still misses the driving and the camaraderie of his mates on the road, many of whom he still maintains contact with.

Bob says he does not envy the new upcoming drivers because of today's rules and regulations and he believes that the old skills of tarping, chains and repairs on the go are a lost craft.