Malcolm Marchant
Malcom (Mac) Marchant was born in Ceduna in 1931. He left school at 14 and worked on the family farm. His interest in trucking began in 1946 when he carted 20 bags of wheat to the local railway station driving a one ton Ford T. He purchased his first truck an International in 1951, the first load was 120 bags of wheat
During his 30 years behind the wheel Mac was an owner/driver/employer under the name M.J. & C.B. Marchant, later Marco Pty Ltd. From 1954 to 1969 Mac travelled the dirt road across the Nullarbor carrying sheep, he made this trip more than 100 times. In December 1959 Mac was involved in carting the first oil rig from Innaminka to Betoota.
After carting sheep Mac carted fuel into Ceduna for service stations, fuel agencies, power house, overseas telecommunication satellite earth station, aviation fuel for the airport, and again travelled the dirt of the Nullarbor to Border Village, this time carrying fuel. Nullarbor pot holes could be 4 ft. feet deep and filled with bulldust. Each trip numerous tyres were mended on the side of the road.
Mac operated a crane service in Ceduna, was a member of Western Hauliers and life member of Eyre Peninsula Road Transport Association. Mac's place was well known to many drivers who had mishaps on the Nullarbor trip, they always knew help would be available at his workshop which was never closed. Mac said he helped because if he was in a similar situation he would have appreciated help, sometimes payment arrived for parts but many drivers weren't heard from again. Mac lent his truck to one owner driver so he could go home to Sydney for Christmas while Mac repaired the gearbox of his Mack truck. Mac and his wife Celia made many friendships with those who needed help. Celia was very involved in the business, driving cranes, bookkeeping etc.
During 30 years of trucking he owned twelve Internationals, one Kenworth, four Macks, one Commer, one Leyland, three tankers, ten trailers, three cranes and four stock crates. One Nullarbor trip he transported a camel from Madura to Nundroo in the stock crate.
Mac and Celia retired in Ceduna.