Barry Patterson

Barry Patterson was born 8th October 1932 in Tamworth New South Wales. He was educated at St Mary's and Christian Brothers College. At 14 he left school to start his working life wood chopping with his father at Goonoo Goonoo Station where they would camp on the property and transport the wood back to the wood yard in Tamworth ready for sale. At 16 in 1949 he commenced his apprenticeship as a mechanic with Sam Sabines Garage. After completing his apprenticeship he began driving for Lillymans cordials, then carted wheat, cattle and sheep for Lloyd Newcombe Transport around the New England district.

In 1952, Barry along with his brother Max started their own transport company known as Patterson's Transport on the land next to their parents' home in Peel Street, Tamworth. They started off their fleet with an AR International table top truck, where on one occasion it took all week in Newcastle to organise a load which was about six tonne. Max stayed and run the business while Barry drove to Brisbane, Newcastle and Sydney along the New England Highway with loads of general and market freight.

Over the years the workload increased and they employed nine drivers which included Barry's three sons, Michael, Brian and Tony. Max's son Bruce also drove. They were joined by Max and Barry's brothers-in-law Barry Lye and grandson Shane Webb. Max and Barry's younger brother Neville was also employed as a driver along with Brian Gross who worked for Patterson's Transport for over 30 years.

Patterson's had depots in Brisbane, Sydney and Newcastle due to the high demand of their professional service. Patterson's were very highly regarded along the New England Highway and their fleet was made up of Internationals in the early days and the Ford Louisville LTL and Aeromax. A highlight to the fleet was buying a new 1974 Cabover Transtar which was only one of six to be released in Australia. Barry would fly to Melbourne to drive his new trucks home. They transported for Goodman Fielder for over 30 years and carried for Coca Cola, also carting general freight, farm machinery and wool.

In 1994 Barry's brother Max retired from the company and Barry continued to run his business until February 1998 when Barry sold to Thornhill Transport and retired.