Peter Spence 2002

Inducted into the Shell Rimula Wall of Fame at Reunion 2002.

Peter Colin Spence, started his working life in offices and farms throughout the Western Australian wheat belt.  In 1954 he began what was to become a life-long passion when he started driving a tipper around Perth for Bell Bros.
Colin, as he was known, later got a job carting asbestos for JD Tsakalos & Company in Wittenoon, after which he worked for Don Rhodes carting manganese from remote sites in the Port Hedland area.In 1963 Colin took on managing Brambles and established a new branch at Kwinana.  Brambles was instrumental in the construction of the Blast Furnace and Sinter Plant for BHP and Australian Iron and Steel Pty Ltd.  He started with a staff of two and by the time he resigned in 1968 the staff had grown to over 80 people.  In 1978 Colin and his wife Flora decided to start their own business and formed their own company operating a road roller and a single M.A.N. truck.When their eldest son joined the company in 1982 the business expanded to include 2 six-wheel tippers.  Inevitably a variety of trucks and trailers followed over the next few years.  One memorable occasion was on 13th May, 1985 when Colin took the first tanker of caustic to the Queen Margaret Gold Mine for Coogee Chemicals.  It was the start of a new era and to reflect its business of heavy haulage, bulk tankers, general freight and tippers, the business was renamed Coogee Bulk Transport.In August 1998 Colin was sadly diagnosed with mesothelioma, a disease he contracted while working with asbestos in Wittenoon.Coogee Bulk Transport ceased trading on the 3rd July, 1999 and just ten days later, Colin passed away peacefully at his home with his loving family around.