Phillip Toby Harris

Philip Edward Harris (better known as Toby) was born on 7thJanuary 1949 in Longreach Queensland. His first introduction to road transport and trucking was when he worked for Co-Ords Transport in Alice Springs, carting general freight in 1969. It was here that Toby's interest in trucks began in earnest.

After this, he spent some time working for Bill Baskett in Quilpie, carting stock before Toby and his wife Gem purchased their first truck in the early 1970s. It was an 84 International and tipper which they used to work for the Shire Council in Richmond. It was Toby's first introduction to road works and he saw many opportunities and a future in it. Toby then worked as a road contractor for shires and Main Roads Depts all through Western Queensland. He upgraded along the way from his original International to his current fleet of Western Stars.

In the early 1980's Toby and Gem ventured into the Far North West of Queensland to Boulia, where the roads were so bad no other contractor would work there. It was here that Toby really established his reputation as a 'can do' road contractor. His truck fleet and employee numbers continued to increase over the years.

Toby is one of the pioneers for road works in the Boulia / Diamantina region, and the state of the roads now is a credit to his years of hard work, ability and dedication. From very humble beginnings, PE & GC Harris Road Contractors in 2016 operate five Western Stars, one Iveco and one Kenworth along with numerous pieces of heavy plant and machinery - all of which are still working in and around the Boulia / Diamantina region.

Over the years Toby Harris has received numerous letters and certificates from Shire Councils and Main Roads around the state of Queensland, congratulating him on the standard of his work. As a true testament of his hard work, Boulia Shire Council named a grid on the Donohue Highway in his name 'Toby's Grid'. Toby still resides in Boulia where he continues to operate the business and drive regularly.