Frederick Smith

FRED SMITH got his driving licence at just 17 years of age and couldn't wait to get behind the wheel of a truck. His first jobs were for Charles Isles Parcel Delivery and Kenny Sherwood Parcel driving two ton Bedford tray trucks. It wasn't long before he upgraded to driving five and seven ton Bedfords working for iconic transport companies such as Cochrans, Nobles Transport Brisbane and Scarfs Express.

By the 1960s he was driving for IPEC in an orange 1961 Commer Van but it wasn't too long before he upgraded to an AA International to drive interstate for IPEC on the Sydney to Brisbane Express run. IPEC, now Toll IPEC, has a long and proud history stretching back over 50 years. Having started as the idea of an innovative transport operator in Adelaide, the Interstate Parcel Express Company has evolved as a key player in the Australian express freight market.

In later years Fred worked for Bruce R. Ross Freight Lines on Sydney to Brisbane carrying Goodyear tyres and driving a Commer TS3 (Knocker) and a Perkins 6/354 powered Commer hauling grain from Mt Tyson to Sydney. He also drove a 1956 R190 flat top tipper for Borg and Muscat Australia wide and a six series Dodge for Peter Cantarella Overnight. Other companies Fred drove for include Jack Moses Tipper Transport, Ronny Jones Transport and Bill O'Connell Express Ansett .

Fred Smith also spent several years as an owner operator. He owned Two-Up Transport which delivered local containers and Camden Haven Transport delivering tyres, magazines, Darrel Lea Chocolate and Weston Biscuits. Trucks in this era included a Volvo six wheeler, an F700 Ford, an SBR 450 Izuzu and a GM powered KGL Bedford.

Under the banner of Fred Smith North Coast Transport Fred carted freight from Taree to Lismore in a variety of Mack, Volvo, Scania, Kenworth and Ford trucks. He also ran Sydney Brisbane overnight. Fred Smith Transport has carted expanded metal for Expamet Pty Ltd for the last 22 years. Fred retired near Brisbane Island ten years ago.