William Smyth

William Willy Smyth was born in Kempsey New South Wales on the 9th January 1954. He started work as a painter, but not long after, decided truck driving was for him. He started as an offsider for furniture removalists Williamson Bros from Kempsey. His first driving job, as an 18 year old was for Bruce Kenah in a Leyland Albion six wheeler carting railway sleepers. He then stepped up to a 1419 Benz trailer carrying hay, potatoes, timber and general freight. After six years with Bruce Kenah, and a few other companies doing everything including wide loads, Willy decided he wanted to be an owner driver and bought a T2670 International. This took him as far as Gladstone and Melbourne.

After selling his truck and moving to Tamworth, Willy found his way to Careys Freight Lines starting in May 1994. After 21 years, Willy is still driving B-doubles for Careys, where he is regularly seen in his immaculately presented K200 Kenworth (Careys 100th) and FTE freezer vans between Sydney and Brisbane.

Willy's love of driving continues on holidays. He and his wife Angela spend their spare time caravanning around the countryside including three trips to Alice Springs, Darwin, all around Victoria and central Queensland. In Kempsey, Willy was an active member of the North Coast Trucking Club and is now a current member of the Tamworth Truck Drivers Club. After 43 years on the road, it's pretty safe to say, trucks always have been and always will be Willy's life.