Brian Keating

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

Brian Peter Keating was born in Bendigo on May 22, 1942. At just 14, Brian started driving a 1956 Chev for his father doing removals and delivering new furniture on the Melbourne Bendigo run.
When working for his dad it was a common occurrence for the people for whom the job was being done, to travel with the furniture so Brian and his brothers would travel sitting on the tailboard with their legs dangling off the edge. This could be just around the corner or for hundreds of miles.
At 18 Brian got his semi-licence driving a 1957 Ford semi carrying Barristock live chooks, general freight and 4 500 solid bricks which had to be loaded and unloaded by hand. In 1970 Brian started his own company with a Dodge tray truck carting goods from Melbourne and the railways to shops in Bendigo. To cope with the extra freight he bought an Austin. As the work continued to grow he added an International, a K-series Ford and he opened a Melbourne Depot.
The list of vehicles continued to expand, a Bedford and a new Ford Louisville joined the fleet,  which, in turn, were upgraded to three International S-Lines. Today's fleet includes a 9200 International Eagle. When the new Ravenswood bypass opened, Vic Road asked Brian to be the first official semi to travel on the road. This was a huge honour and privilege for Brian as he had travelled this road all his life witnessing firsthand the huge improvements over the years.
Today Brian still works full-time in the business. He devotes his spare time to helping young drivers through the Vic Roads Program, Smart Drive, demonstrating the basics of load restraining and driver safety. He is also a member of the Central Victorian Transport Alliance Group, which is headed by Vic Roads. Each month there are working group meetings to improve the roads in Bendigo with such things as traffic lights on dangerous intersections, so far having some positive results.
Today Keating's Transport operates with Brian and his three son's driving the trucks, Brian's wife, Jennifer in the office and their daughter also involved. This family business is known far and wide for the immaculate presentation of the trucks: a legacy Brian Keating has created.