Cliff McGuckin

Inducted into the Shell Rimula Wall of Fame at Reunion 2010.

Cliff McGuckin's interest in trucks began at a young age.  A B Taylor & Co. was a well-respected, local business that took 14 year old Cliff on in a casual laboring position for nine months and at 15 he became a permanent member of staff. At 17 Benny assisted Cliff in obtaining a 'special licence' to drive a table top truck. This began his long journey as a well-respected truck driver.
Cliff first drove an International for Benny and then a Leyland Bedford. He carted bagged wheat which was hand-stacked on the trucks and the trains. He also carted lucerne hay, one year carting 3000 tonne with a pick up on the side trailer. He carted molasses from Bundaberg and hand-loaded 44 gallon drums. Cliff often brought home the odd box of pineapples and bottle of rum.
On the notorious Putty Road in 1970 Cliff was involved in an accident and was very lucky to survive. He suffered many injuries including a broken neck. After some time in traction, six weeks in hospital and a long eight months recovery he happily returned to work.
In 1979 Cliff and Margaret purchased the business from Cliff's employer, Benny Taylor. The business was then proudly renamed CE & EM McGuckin Pty. Ltd. and continues trading to this day. The first truck that Cliff owned and drove was a V8 Mercedes Benz with an aluminium tipping trailer and a flat top freighter trailer. The Quirindi depot remains a hive of activity today.
Cliff's eldest son, Raymond became an employee in 1996 and his youngest son, Stephen joined in 1999. Both boys were very enthusiastic to be working along-side their father and mentor who happily taught them the ropes of the industry. Both boys' apprenticeships came in handy over the years; Raymond as a boilermaker and Stephen as a diesel mechanic. The men formed a terrific team. Today the business has expanded to own only Mack prime-movers with singles, B-doubles and roadtrains. McGuckin Transport continues to serve the local area and interstate clientele with old school service.
During Cliff's career he has always happily supported local charities such as the NSW Westpac Rescue Helicopter and The Royal Flying Doctors Service. Throughout Cliff's career, as a transport operator, he has always remained a loving, devoted and generous husband to wife Margaret and father to his three children, Belinda, Ray and Steve and their families. Cliff is also a very proud pop to seven grandchildren.