Ray Stow

Inducted into the Shell Rimula Wall of Fame at Reunion 2005.

Ray started driving an early Ford F600 tip-truck working on the construction of Sydney's Mascot Airport.  Returning to his origins in Geelong, he purchased an International AR162 prime-mover which he used as a car carrier to transport Customlines and Zepher bodies to Sydney distributors.
Branching into interstate transport to SA and Qld, Ray had transport depots at Geelong and Coopers Plains.  He later became a test operator for Dunlop Australia and in 1965 ran the fires test vehicles in an AB International.In 1967 Ray moved to Brisbane and appointed managers to both of his depots.  By 1970 Ray had built his business to nine trucks and trailers including the purchase of two ERF prime-movers.  Ray had strong relationships with reliable clients including Repco, Ford and Pilkington Glass by this time.  Ray loved playing jokes on people whilst on the road and never called anyone by their first name; he had a nickname for everyone and a natural flair for making people happy.By the late 70s Ray sold the depot in Coopers Plains and bought 13 acres at Beaudesert Rd, Calamvale convinced that this would be the perfect spot to open a truck stop.  This became his dream.  He started providing fuel and then repairs forming Calam welding.  He manufactured and designed bullbars for new trucks and dabbled in real estate by renting and leasing some of his property to other businesses.Ray was always keen to support the industry and was an active advocate for truckies rights helping out where ever he could. During this time he became Secretary of the Australian Trucking Association (ATA), and at 48 years of age decided to become a member of the National Party.