Mick Norman

MICHAEL NORMAN (Mick) was born in Quirinidi NSW in 1961. He was also known as Sugar or Old Fossil to his friends. After leaving school, Mick qualified as a motor mechanic in Newcastle. He then drove tow trucks for a number of years along with a few other part time jobs. After meeting his wife Jo, Mick moved to Leongatha to work at Hillside Quarries. It was here that Mick met his long-time mentor Roy Bright. After a mishap where Mick lost the top of ring finger, Roy offered Mick a job on a trial basis for a couple of weeks to see if he fit into the Bright's Transport team and could drive the truck and trailer combinations. Mick has been at Bright's Transport ever since 1991; now some 27 years and still going strong.

Mick enjoys the hot home cooked meals and cups of tea and cakes made by Noelle, Roy's wife after a day's work back at the Bright family home in Dumbalk, South Gippsland. Mick has driven a range of different truck combinations including Scania's, an International Eagle and for the last 6 years, the Western Star 4864. Mick has worked closely with his long-time friends Gordon Pulham, John Redpath, Andrew Norling and Gary Houston, transporting a diverse range of products off the Melbourne docks as well as Geelong, Portland and Port Adelaide. Mick has also carted products to and from many farms throughout Victoria, NSW, Queensland and SA.

After Roy's retirement and subsequent passing, Mick continued on with Bright's Transport working closely with Roy's son Neil. He has played a pivotal role in the growth of the business over the last 12 years. There is not a location in the country that Mick has not been to and he is a constant source of information to his fellow drivers in finding their way or gaining access to difficult locations. Mick has spent a lot of time away from home but has always been there for his wife Jo and children, Mathew and Bec.

Mick in his spare time, loves the V8s where ever they are racing, driving his GS Ford Falcon V8 and even some off road motor bike riding.

Mick is always first to lend support, guidance and the odd practical joke on his fellow work mates both at Bright's Transport and the R & P Carriers family. Mick often talks about his role as the head of HR or in his terms Head Ratbag. To Mick's credit, he has become one of the most respected and sought after Bulk Transport operators. It is not uncommon for clients of R & P Carriers to request Mick to be allocated to their jobs.

Mick is a true truckie in every sense of the word.