David Thomas “Dave” Hayter

Inducted into the Shell Rimula Wall of Fame in 2022.

David Thomas Hayter, better known as ‘Dave’ was born in February, 1954 at Camden in New South Wales. He was born into a world of trucks as his grandfather, David Sydney Hayter, had started a livestock transport business in 1920 which Dave’s father, Jess Hayter, continued to operate until his death in 1988. The family business continued for the next 12 years thanks to Dave and his brothers.

Dave’s first truck was a 353 Dodge which he started driving in 1971 at the age of 18. Since then, Dave has driven everything from Mercedes, Volvo and Ford trucks to Kenworth and Western Star prime movers.  Dave has been behind the wheel of rigids, semis, B-double units and road trains moving cattle, sheep, alpacas and pigs across Australia.

In 2000, Dave and his wife Annette started their own business, Hayter’s Haulage in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales. Along with their sons Jeremy and Thomas, they built a very successful business specialising in livestock cartage. Hayter’s Haulage operates all over the state and into Victoria with B-doubles, runs triples up in Queensland, and has carted sheep over in Western Australia. The business also went into the bulk haulage of grain, mainly carting out of western New South Wales to Port Kembla on the coast. There are currently seven trucks in the fleet but equipment is bought and sold according to work demands.

Dave has been a mentor for young drivers coming into the industry due to his extensive knowledge and skill set which come from decades of carting livestock. He has given his time, over the years, to support charities such as the Burrumbuttock Hay Run and various local charity Truck Convoys. Dave has been a member of the Livestock Bulk and Rural Carrier Association of NSW for many years. As a member of this association, Dave was involved in the changing of regulations to allow 68 tonne volume loading for livestock trucks in New South Wales.

Dave finished his driving career of 50 years behind the wheel of a Kenworth T409 SAR and in early 2022, he regretfully handed over the keys to his sons. Dave is no longer able to drive a heavy vehicle due to a health condition but he frequently rides as a passenger in one of their trucks. He spends a lot of time helping out around the yard fixing trucks and machinery.

Dave’s fondest memories of his time in the transport industry revolve around the many dedicated, hardworking people he has met. He has certainly enjoyed watching the progression of the industry from when he first started out as a driver.