John (Jack) Hicks

Inducted into the Shell Rimula Wall of Fame at Reunion 2000.

Jack Hicks is a legend on Yorke Peninsula; his business served the local community for over 60 years.  Ask any farmer on the Peninsula about trucks and Jack's name is sure to be mentioned.

Born on a farm near Moonta, Jack grew up in the copper triangle.  When the mines closed in 1913 the community turned to farming and Jack started driving.  By 1934 he'd purchased a Dodge and had started hauling grain and livestock.  Jack built his own stock crates; they were the first double deckers in the area and he had to hand drill all 500 holes in the 3/8 steel plate. There were many times the Hicks family continued to service their clients at their own expense.  For many of their early years they literally struggled to stay afloat financially.  It is always said in the bush that trucking is a family lifestyle and not just the husband's career. 

For many years Jack's wife, Dorothy, drove a truck carrying cement and bricks between Adelaide and Moonta.  She was known as a skilled driver and worked hard to earn the respect of the men who worked beside her.In their latter years they found they were carrying for the third generation of families Jack had dealt with when he'd first started driving trucks as a teenager.  The quality of service he provided was always Jack's top priority and to most of his customers he was considered family.  Many said Jack's dedication during hard times often meant the difference between staying on the land or having to leave.

The Hicks were far more than 'just' general carriers; they were literally the life-line to their small community.