Edgar Kelly
Edgar Brian Kelly (Brian) Born in Armidale on the 24th of April 1955 to Edgar and Margaret Kelly. He was the second born of 6 children, the eldest son in the family. Brian's father Edgar and his Uncle Sam started Kelly Brother's Transport in the early 1950's. Edgar and Sam were also the Shell agents in Armidale up until early 1980's. Bulk fuel was carried to Armidale by Trial Bay Haulage at Urunga from Trial Bay. The Shell drums came out of Brisbane on Kelly's Transport trucks. In the late 1960's, Edgar took over control of the livestock transport component of Kelly's Transport while Sam maintained the Shell depot.
At the age of 17, while Brian was still at school, his Father arranged for him to get a semi-trailer license and so began his official role in Kelly's Transport. Brian married Kerry in 1978. Edgar, Brian's father, was killed in a truck accident about a month later. With the help of his three younger brothers; Michael, Chris and Tim, Brian took over the running of 8 trucks and drivers. Kelly's Transport was one of the first companies in the New England to operate B-doubles.
The first truck Brian drove legally was an AB182 International. He then went on to drive M.A.N.S., Mercedes, and Diamond Reo. The first truck Brian bought was a W model Kenworth with a 671GM from the Shell Company at Brisbane for $10,000.00. This truck was one of the original Shell Company Kenworths. Over the last 40 odd years the fleet of trucks at Kelly's has included U.D., Volvo, Atkinson, Transtars, Iveco, Eagles, Kenworths and Western Stars.
Brian has contributed in many ways to the local community. He was elected on the local council in 2000 and was chairman of the local traffic committee for 13 years. Kelly's Transport have been generous sponsors of many things in the local community including; sporting teams, camp drafts, district schools, festivals and the local racing club.
Today, Kelly's Transport remains a well respected family business in the New England region that continues to be operated by Brian and his three brothers. Brian's son, Jonathan and nephew, Daniel also work at Kelly's Transport. Brian has a 43 year, accident free driving record and is still driving B-doubles on a daily basis. He has many achievements of which he can be proud of. Brian is a generous, humble, family man who is always willing to lend a hand if needed.