Keith Purtill

Inducted into the Shell Rimula Wall of Fame in 2021.

Keith Leslie Purtill was born in Balranald, New South Wales, in February  1929. On leaving Balranald, Keith joined long-time family friend, Neil Scott, in Deniliquin where they both aspired to enter the transport industry.

At the age of 22, Keith established his own transport business. His original idea was to start a trucking business but after World War II there was a shortage of trucks available in the country. So instead he bought a bus and started to operate the Blighty to Deniliquin school bus run. This was the beginning of the very important role of safely transporting the children of the Deniliquin, Finley, Hay and Wakool areas. Although it was not trucking as Keith had first planned, it allowed him to do what he loved; driving and fixing heavy vehicles.

In 1974 Keith entered the fuel industry, firstly with rigid trucks and ultimately semi tankers and later B-doubles.

When Keith Purtill bought his first school bus in 1951 he founded a diverse business that is still successful today and one that is still very involved in supporting its local community.  Back in the day though, with a ready supply of buses standing idle during school hours and holiday periods, a move into tourism and travel was a natural progression. A second-hand coach, the first of many was purchased in 1976 which started the travel arm of the company. These coaches now cater not only for school runs and excursions but many trips and charters.

In the late 70’s, the Purtill family further expanded their transport interests by establishing Deniliquin Freighters, which would later be sold off.

Unfortunately, after overseeing the growth of his business for 37 years and being joined in the business by all six of his sons, Keith Leslie Purtill passed away in 1988 at the relatively young age of 59.

Now, after more than 67 years of operations, the Purtill family business has expanded to include service stations, wired entertainment and Caltex bulk fuel distribution throughout the Southern Riverina. Today, Keith’s son, Neville, and his family, with the support of a great team, are successfully guiding the company forward into the future.