Charles Mustey

Inducted into the Shell Rimula Wall of Fame at Reunion 2008.

Charles William George (Bill) Mustey left school at an early age to help his father in their Lockington butcher's shop.  He delivered meat from a horse-drawn cart.  Bill was soon to become familiar with another sort of horsepower.  He began driving for his brother-in-law, Jack Hemming.

In the mid 1940s, he, and his brother Jack, purchased a truck, an International KS5.  Bill sold his beloved motorbike to help with finances for the business.  The brothers operated a carting business throughout the local area for the next few years.

As a subsequent owner-driver of Fargo, Bedford, Ford, Dodge and International trucks, Bill continued to operate over the next 42 years until he sold his last International and retired in 1988.  His wife, Betty, ably supported Bill in his trucking life.  She was always there to help keep him on the road and maintain home and family in his absence.  Bill's other faithful companion and worker was his dog.

Bill spoke highly of the mateship and co-operation that existed between fellow drivers.  His customers were important to him.  They knew he was a reliable truckie and respected his ability to handle stock.  Bill was a quiet achiever, a man who knew his trucks and their capabilities and used this knowledge to go about the business of hauling goods and livestock from the small farming community in which he lived to various places throughout VIC and NSW.  He was one of many who helped establish and maintain the small farming communities in VIC.  Without railways, or other means to transport supplies to residents or take produce to market, Bill's dedicated efforts ensured that small communities remained alive and viable.