Malcolm Meaney

Malcolm John (Malc) Meaney was born in Malalla on 23 June 1944. He grew up on the family farm, and then went on to become a diesel mechanic for Hart Motors in Two Wells. It was here he met and married Diane Hart, settling in Two Wells to raise three children.

His 36 years in road transport as an owner/operator commenced in 1968 with a Ford F600 tray top, delivering fuel for Ampol to farms and market gardens around Two Wells.

Whilst delivering a load of wool from Port Lincoln in 1971, he lost the sight in one eye from wire used to tie the load. Even with one eye his sight was always accurate enough to see potential tyre hazards on the road and back up roadtrains with great skill.

Leaving the fuel business in 1972 Malc purchased an Acco International tipper, carting aggregate to the railways at Yunta, general earth moving and harvested grain. At this time he also purchased a 944 Caterpillar loader which multi-tasked over the years cleaning pig effluent ponds, constructing dams and roadways.

In 1975 Malc upgraded to a new V10 Mercedes Benz and Gitsham semi-tipper and so began his love for Benz's. He traveled 1.5 million kms in the V10, later on affectionately known as 'The Old Girl'. Following additions were the Benz 2638 in 1986, the 2244 in 1989, the 2435 in 1995 and finally the 2648 Actros in 2001.

Some memorable loads for Malc and his Benz's' included the cartage of product for the Cooper Pedy airfield, kit homes for Blunts to Leigh Creek, bore casing for 11 years along the Strzelecki Track to Moomba Oil and Gas Fields for Santos, various loads to the APY Lands, railway line to sugar cane fields in north Queensland, local grain during harvest and shifting equipment and cold pave all over Australia for Emoleum.

Malc was happiest when he was travelling north especially with his family on board to share his many outback adventures.

In 2004 Malc was diagnosed with cancer, he fought hard and continued to drive but lost the battle on 20 August 2005.