Robert DOC Remilton

Robert Doc Remilton was born in 1954 and grew up in Bordertown South Australia. He would ride his bike around Bordertown intrigued by the passing trucks. Although he obtained a University degree in Science, Robert went off-siding for Jack McCarthy who taught him to drive a Cabover Kenworth with a 290 Cummins on his Melbourne to Perth trips. At 20 he began working for Tatiara Transport driving a 1418 Mercedes and an Atkinson with a straight eight Gardiner carting general freight between Adelaide and Melbourne.

Robert went to Cains Transport carting hanging meat out of Portland and then to Strates Haulage running Melbourne to Perth. He bought a 1976 Kenworth running Adelaide to Melbourne and later upgraded to a W model. Next was a T600 with a Detroit Series 60 which he used to cart steel tubing out of Adelaide for Hills Industries. With plenty of work, Robert was running three of his own trucks during his 25 years with Hills. In the hope of being more efficient, Robert traded in his T600 on a Kenworth t400 with a 10 litre Cummins, which was Truckin' Life's rig of the month. It could carry 29 tonne before mass management. He later bought a Kenworth 401 and convertible trailer carting steel tubing to Melbourne and bringing back grain or pine posts for Beaufort. When B-doubles arrived he had a flattop set for tube, then finished with a Freighter Prairie Wagon set to reduce tarping. A very efficient unit.

In 2008, in between truck driving, Robert became a part time heavy vehicle auditor. Then in 2010 when work went quiet, he sold his prairie wagons keeping the Aerodyne and single flattop which he used to cart grapes and pipes, he became a heavy vehicle auditor full time, which he is still doing.

Robert always had the support of his wife Verity and she enjoyed accompanying him on many trips before they began their family. Robert describes his 41 years in the transport industry as a wonderful journey and although a lot of ups and downs, overall it has been a great experience.