Robert Twyford

Robert Paul Twyford, better known as Paul was born in Candelo, New South Wales, on the 1st December 1934. His father was an owner driver, doing general haulage, in the Bega district. Carting cream cans from dairies to local factories, livestock to markets, groceries and beer to local shops and pubs in Candelo.

Paul followed in his father's footsteps. He learnt to drive while sitting on an Arnotts biscuit tin so he could see out. When pulled up by the local Constabulary it was decided that a licence would be necessary. So at the age of sixteen Paul got his licence and bought his first truck, a Blitz wagon, to cart logs and sleeper from forests in the Bega Valley.

He has always had his own trucks, but when times were quiet, he would drive for local companies. Over time he has owned the Blitz, Bedfords, Dodges, Fords, Kenworths and Macks. Driving mainly along the east coast of New South Wales and Victoria, he carted livestock, general freight, logs, timber and pulp wood. He worked on the Snowy Scheme tipping overburden rock for the Geehi dam. His last professional work was carting pulp wood to the chip mill at Eden, until he retired in 2000. He still has a small Mazda which he uses to transport livestock to market from his farm.

Like his father before him, Paul took his sons driving with him, introducing them to the trucking industry. The perils of being an owner driver were demonstrated when Paul broke his ankle falling from a cattle trailer, after a week he cut the plaster off and went back to work. When he retired as an owner driver he helped his son in his trucking business. At the age of eighty he is still actively involved in the restoration of vintage trucks with his sons.

Over the fifty years of being an owner driver, Paul saw many changes. When he began driving the conditions of the roads were far different from today, where skill and ingenuity were needed to traverse many of them. Equipment and technology continue to advance, making life for the driver of today far more comfortable.

ter known as Paul was born in Candelo, New South Wales, on the 1st December 1934. His father was an owner driver, doing general haulage, in the Bega district. Carting cream cans from dairies to local factories, livestock to markets, groceries and beer to local shops and pubs in Candelo.

Paul followed in his father's footsteps. He learnt to drive while sitting on an Arnotts biscuit tin so he could see out. When pulled up by the local Constabulary it was decided that a licence would be necessary. So at the age of sixteen Paul got his licence and bought his first truck, a Blitz wagon, to cart logs and sleeper from forests in the Bega Valley.

He has always had his own trucks, but when times were quiet, he would drive for local companies. Over time he has owned the Blitz, Bedfords, Dodges, Fords, Kenworths and Macks. Driving mainly along the east coast of New South Wales and Victoria, he carted livestock, general freight, logs, timber and pulp wood. He worked on the Snowy Scheme tipping overburden rock for the Geehi dam. His last professional work was carting pulp wood to the chip mill at Eden, until he retired in 2000. He still has a small Mazda which he uses to transport livestock to market from his farm.

Like his father before him, Paul took his sons driving with him, introducing them to the trucking industry. The perils of being an owner driver were demonstrated when Paul broke his ankle falling from a cattle trailer, after a week he cut the plaster off and went back to work. When he retired as an owner driver he helped his son in his trucking business. At the age of eighty he is still actively involved in the restoration of vintage trucks with his sons.

Over the fifty years of being an owner driver, Paul saw many changes. When he began driving the conditions of the roads were far different from today, where skill and ingenuity were needed to traverse many of them. Equipment and technology continue to advance, making life for the driver of today far more comfortable.