Bill & David McKibbin
Inducted into the Shell Rimula Wall of Fame at Reunion 2010.
Both David and Bill McKibbin were born in Northern Ireland in 1942 and 1944 respectively. Their family migrated to Australia in 1952 settling in Melbourne. On leaving school David became a plumber and Bill a butcher.
In 1967, together, they formed McKibbins Transport, a company in which they both still play an active role today. Recently Richard, Bill's son, has stepped up and is playing a major role in the company operations ensuring the familiar blue and white rigs will be seen travelling all over Australia for many years to come. When starting out Bill drove a 1964 AB International with a 36ft trailer and David a 1016 Dodge with a two deck convertible crate, moving livestock to and from markets throughout Victoria. As the business expanded, many different types of vehicles have been used but the two types of trucks that remain close to the hearts of David and Bill, are the Mercedes Benz 1418 and Mack R-models, although, they are certainly happy with the current fleet of Freightliners and Kenworths which have had a major impact on the growth of the business over the years. Company policy ensures dedication to providing a reliable service to customers and David and Bill have never strayed from that ideal. They have both been very active in road transport industry associations including the development of the Livestock Transport Association of Victoria.
David was awarded a Life Membership of this association. McKibbins was one of the first transport companies to place an emphasis on animal welfare and have worked hard to ensure innovative technologies that help to minimise animal stress in transit. Both McKibbin brothers agree that technological changes have revolutionised the industry and that trucks today are safer, more reliable and with modern communications freight is moved more efficiently than ever before.
Through their hands-on approach both Bill and David say they have enjoyed the opportunity to be involved in this most interesting and rewarding industry for the past half century
