John Stormonth

Inducted into the Shell Rimula Wall of Fame at Reunion 2010.

From the time he was about seven John was a regular passenger in his father's Brockway on interstate trips. He credits his interest in trucks from those early days.

John served an apprenticeship as a diesel mechanic with Champions Ltd in Adelaide, working on B61 Macks from 1959 to 1964. In those days, Macks came from the USA in two big boxes to be assembled like giant meccano. John started driving interstate professionally at the age of 19 with Fast Freight, but his dad decided that John would drive his father's car carrier as a sub-contractor for Fast Freight.

John then moved to Melbourne as a diesel mechanic with Vaughan Transport but the desire to get back into trucking was too strong so John then joined DG & JW Toll of Footscray as a driver. John enjoyed his years there. He says that two of the best things that happened were that he was selected to transport the first and then the one millionth Holden, from GMH in Adelaide to Melbourne. He was the youngest driver to be employed by them and he started driving a 190 International. His next truck was a new 1418 Mercedes. When GD & JW Toll sold out to Mayne Nickless John left to drive for Ron Peters in Melbourne in a V8 Cummins powered Acco towing a tank for R H Wilkinson. John then moved on to You Yang Sand Supplies, driving a truck and dog around the Geelong and Melbourne Areas.

John then purchased an Acco with a 6354 Perkins and a concrete agitator to drive for My-Mix in Werribee. His next trucks were a 7-series Dodge followed by Louisville with a 903. John later had his truck flame proofed and joined Fluid Freight carting chemicals and dangerous goods throughout the country and was proud of his achievements.

John gave a strong commitment to the trucking industry and his mates in it and is proud of his driving record.

John is now retired in Queensland with his wife of 43 years, Yvonne. He can still be found doing charity work for Lifeline and is an on call driver.