Gordon Pulham
Gordon Albert Pulham was born in Foster South Gippsland in 1961, and lived in Fish Creek, Victoria.
In November 1976 at the age of 15, Gordon took up an apprenticeship as a motor mechanic with John and Norma Vagg of Fish Creek, specializing in diesels.
At this time Gordon also worked weekends driving tractors spreading Super/Lime and slashing for various farmers in the district.
Gordon's passion for trucks was obvious as you would see him at nights and weekends climb into the cab of a truck and head out of town.
Gordon got his first taste of truck driving in a Dodge, single axle, single trailer which had a GM motor. This truck was owned by Roy Souter of Meeniyan. Gordon carted cattle from Korumburra to Melbourne, Meeniyan to Dandenong.
It was then suggested to Gordon by the local constabulary the he probably should acquire his truck license. So with thanks to Roy and his Dodge and no driving involved, Gordon attained his truck license in June 1980 at the age of 19.
After obtaining his semi license, Gordon drove trucks casually at nights, and on weekends carting livestock to Newmarket and abattoirs throughout Melbourne in a 1418 Benz and Detroit powered Dodge.
He continued to drive for Roy and a few other carters in the area until an opportunity arose to get a full time driving position at Perc Matthews Transport, of Buffalo Victoria.
On Tuesday the 20th April 1982, Gordon wrote his first log book entry for Perc Matthews Transport, the beginning of many years driving for this company.
Driving a Mack, Kenworth trucks and quad dogs. This saw Gordon carting Super, Lime, Wheat and anything that would fit in the tippers. He travelled to many places in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.
Gordon became well known throughout the industry because of his nature with the people he delt with. He took up the role as Transport Manager with the company, organizing the trucks and doing mechanical repairs ensuring the safety of the drivers and keeping the fleet on the road.
When Perc Matthews closed its doors in 1999, and after 21 years with the company, Gordon and a co-worker, John Redpath started their own business, Redpath and Pulham Carriers P/L which they operate today based out of Laverton Victoria.
Gordon seized the opportunity to unload ships off the wharves in Melbourne, Geelong and Portland to storage sheds in these cities. He also took up the opportunity to start up a depot, to bag and fill containers for export, and deliver them to the wharf. Gordon also created a service to Gippsland farmers, delivering grain and stock feed. As a result, Gordon has created a lot of work for Drivers and their trucks.
Gordon married his wife Helen in 1985, and they have had three children, and six grandchildren. Dean aged 32, has an interest in the trucking industry. He drove for his father's company for a while and is now looking at purchasing his own truck. Krista aged 30, and Ben aged 26 also drove for the family business for a while. Ben now has a full time position with Browns Stockfeeds in Leongatha.
Summing up, Gordon has shown a lot of passion for the industry from a young age.
He has achieved a lot, starting as a driver, through to a company owner, which has in turn provided a lot of other in the industry with work and stability.
Gordon has represented the industry in a professional manner for the duration of his career which is going on 39 years.
His hard work ethic has earned Gordon a lot of respect from many companies and drivers.
His family are very proud of where he has come, although as with all families of truck drivers he was very much and still is missed a great deal on the home front.