John Hellyer

John Leslie (Jack) Hellyer was born on the 10th February 1951 in Carlton, Melbourne. Jack spent most of his younger years growing up at the Hume Weir where his father was working in transport during that time. As a teenager his family moved to Ashburton where Jack would go with his father in his truck.

At 19 Jack started driving for his father's transport company in a Ford F500 253 V8. At 22 Jack started working for Neville Carson driving a B Model Mack 285 hp, quad box, running Melbourne to Sydney carting bottles and Millers Yarns. Over the years the B Model Mack was Jack's favourite truck to drive, with a stint at Brown & Mitchell driving a Cabover Kenworth then onto Frank Marchetti carting Melbourne to Brisbane.

Some of Jacks best memories of the road are going across the old Gundagai Bridge and through the Cullerin Ranges on the wrong side of the road chasing mates, and running Perth when 365 miles of it was dirt.

In 1973 it was time for Jack to go out on his own. He bought a J Model Bedford 281 hp rigid, carting local around Melbourne for Taylor Ferguson Liquor Merchants. On selling the J Model Bedford, Jack purchased a TK Bedford and a D3 F Dodge. In 1980 Jack and his wife Lynette started JL Transport specialising in the wine and spirit industry for Mildara Wines, Wynn's Wines and Gilbeys Gin just to name a few.

In 1998 as the company grew and started interstate, Jack purchased a 1985 Atkinson with a Detroit 8V92 running Melbourne to Sydney for Greens Foods and Seppelts Wines. Now in the fleet of 17 vehicles were B-double and singles carting general and refrigerated freight out of Melbourne to country Victoria, Sydney, Adelaide and Brisbane, consisting of predominately Freightliner trucks.

Most of Jack contracts are long term customers whom he has a great relationship which has helped to keep the business strong over the years. Jack is very proud having his wife, children and their partners along with grandchildren being involved with the company in many different roles.