Peter Kennedy

Inducted into the Shell Rimula Wall of Fame at Reunion 2010.

Peter Kennedy first developed his interest in the trucking industry while doing some part time driving work while employed with a stock firm at Mt Pleasant in 1955.
In June 1961 he left the stock firm while at Minnipa and bought a half share in a Ford F600 tipper, working on the development of the Eyre Highway. Peter married Terri McCormack in 1964 and continued doing some part time stock carting while farming until 1974 when a poor season forced them to move to Adelaide.
Whilst in Adelaide Peter worked for Brambles doing house moving with an old Leyland Beaver and driving to the Moomba gas fields. Road conditions were difficult from Hawker to Moomba requiring a good tucker box, shovel and a strong back. In the early days there was no such thing as closing a road after a big rain. Drivers would keep moving if possible and the grader drivers would give assistance when needed. In the late 70s Peter did mainly South Road work to the Northern Territory. In 1980, after a meeting with the Santos manager, Peter was invited to work direct with Santos to move their freight straight to Moomba gas fields.
In 1982 the company PT & TK Kennedy Transport was formed with Peter, Terri and their two eldest sons joining the business. In 1989  the company expanded and purchased the business and equipment of Eyre Transporters, providing a general freight run to Port Lincoln. There were some difficult times for the next ten years, but with the help of Terri, their sons and a nucleus of good drivers and staff, the company survived. The company now employs 25 staff members, operates 10 road trains, 2 single prime-movers, 4 body trucks and 55 trailers. In June 2000, PT & TK Kennedy Transport Pty Ltd moved to new premises in Beford Street Gillman, where Mark, their son, is due to take control of the business in the near future.