Peter John Shiells

Inducted into the Shell Rimula Wall of Fame in 2022.

Peter John Shiells was born in Warrnambool, Victoria in May 1971, the only child of Arthur and Julie Shiells. His parents ran a small transport business in Woolsthorpe, Victoria, which focused on the cartage of fertilizer, cattle, sheep and hay.

Finishing school in 1988, Peter gained employment as a mechanic apprentice and also at the local wool mill but he soon realised that neither of these jobs appealed to him. At age 19 Peter got his truck licence and returned to work beside his father in the family business.

Peter began driving his father’s 1418 Mercedes Benz but soon moved up into an International 3070 and then later, a Ford Louisville. However, in 2002 his father, Arthur, passed away and Peter took over as the owner-operator of Shiells Transport. It was at this time that Peter bought his first truck, a white International S Line which was his pride and joy. He was kept busy carting livestock from farms to saleyards and ships, moving fertilizer around the western district and shifting hay and wool. Peter built up his clientele to the extent that he had to buy a second truck and employ a driver to handle the work.

A few years later though, a family decision resulted in Peter going back to being a sole operator. Since 2008, Peter has been involved in the Livestock and Rural Transporters Association of Victoria, serving as a delegate and also on the Executive Committee. He has been a strong advocate for road safety and better road conditions in the western district of Victoria.

Peter was thrilled to be able to find and purchase the 1974 Atkinson which had been one of his father’s first trucks. The original signage was reapplied and the Atkinson is now a show truck of which Peter is very proud.

Peter has been an ardent supporter of his local community and in 2008, he won the “Father of the Year” award in recognition of his involvement. This award hangs proudly with the images of the trucks he has owned and driven in his 30+ years in the transport industry.

In 2021, Peter bought his current truck of choice, a new Mack Superliner, in which he can be found today driving throughout the western district of Victoria, carting hay one week and sheep the next. Peter is always up for a chat or a cuppa and only a phone call away for anyone in need.