Jim Hitchcock
Jim Hitchcock was born on 5th October 1942 and has lived in Bomaderry most of his life. Jim's involvement in the trucking industry began in 1957 as an apprentice mechanic and as soon as he was old enough Jim was off to the Police Station to get a truck licence.
Jim repaired all sorts of equipment including, trucks, trailers, machinery, cars and bikes. He also drove trucks delivering bricks, hand load and unload, general freight and timber as well as logging on the weekends.
Jim married Ida Macey on 26th January 1968. Jim and Ida went into business together in 1971 in the fuel industry and transport quickly becoming part of the business covering South Australia, Victoria, Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales and Queensland. They traded as Jim Hitchcock Haulage and diversified the business to include general freight, paper and bulk liquid products.
Jim being the innovative man that he is saw the opportunity to market bricks on the South Coast, so Bomaderry Bricks was born. This business became one of the biggest brick distributors in Australia.
The Hitchcock family continued to diversify turning their transport workshop into a retail outlet with South Star Trucks beginning in January 1990 as a Western Star trucks and Detroit dealer. Jim and Ida had at one stage about 100 employees and 106 pieces of equipment, including 30 prime movers.
Jim was a member of transport associations, always supporting safety awareness in the industry and participating in drives with politicians and holding open days at his premises with police, ambulance and the RTA.
In 2005 Colin and Jayne purchased Jim Hitchcock Haulage from their parents and now trade as Hitchcocks Haulage. Jim still continues to operate South Star Trucks.
Jim and Ida have fully rebuilt their first new truck, a 1974 White 9000, which is now an immaculate show piece. This is a one owner truck and still carries the original number plates FRW 674.
The knowledge that Jim has acquired during his lifelong career in the mechanical and transport industry is exceptional. Trucks are the love of his life and as his 73rd birthday approaches he continues to lead the team daily with a hands-on approach.