Chas Kelly

Chas Kelly was born in Devonport, Tasmania in 1948. After leaving school he commenced work aged 17 as a Junior Clerk with Wm Holyman & Sons, a pioneering Tasmanian company with interests in air, sea and road transport.

Fourteen years later he decided to establish his own transport business, although not wanting to own a truck. He soon bought a 1418 Mercedes to become more autonomous. As the business became known growth, continued at a healthy pace, however like most had a few character building setbacks in the early days.

In 1985 Transport Equipment Hire, a semi-trailer hire company was established and has grown to a fleet of over 500 trailers and prime movers which are hired to operators throughout Australia from depots in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.

Other businesses and shareholdings have been established over the years. 2004 FreshFreight Tasmania now 90% owned. 2007 Chas led the buyout of Patrick's, now renamed SeaRoad, 2009 Rock Logistics to supply services specifically to the steel industry and 2013 RoadRunners, a Tasmanian courier business.

Chas, a self-made man, with wife Robyn, sons Kristian and Owen remains loyally and fiercely Tasmania based at the family's East Devonport Head Office. Their unsung community generosity is a well-kept secret.

In line with his business interests Chas personally has a wide ranging collection of cars, bikes and trucks that have been magnificently restored to original specifications and are made available to museums, clubs and motor shows.

In 2008 Chas Kelly was awarded the Gold Medal Director of the Year Award by the Tasmanian division of the Australian Institute of Company Directors deemed to represent the most appropriate recognition of his achievements within the Tasmanian business community, particularly in significantly growing the transport sector. Chas Kelly's transport interests, ably supported by family, employs over 600 people.