Ken Vorwerk

Kenneth (Ken) James Vorwerk was born on October 15th 1948 at Mount Gambier. In February 1979 after working for 13 years at the local Woods & Forest sawmill he fulfilled his dream to become an owner driver when he and his wife Judy purchased a livestock carrying business and commenced the partnership of KJ & KM Vorwerk.

The original truck, a Volvo F86 tray truck with a 20 foot dog trailer was replaced in 1980 with a new International T2670 single drive pulling a 40 foot two by one semi-trailer. This was replaced by a T2670 tandem drive unit in 1985 and in 1986 a new three by two stock crate was purchased. In 1989 Ken bought a well worn T3070 tipper and he devised a system to remove the tipper and bolt on a turntable to pull a stock crate. He sub-contracted for Belmonte Transport hauling sheep and cattle to AMH at Portland. During the winter months Ken was a tow operator for Associated Transport carting general freight.

In 1990 Ken replaced the T3070 with a Louisville LNT after acquiring the contract for AMH and later transporting Myora Farm pigs for the JH Ralph abattoir in Melbourne. After AMH closed, Ken continued to transport Myora Farm pigs for 17 years until retirement. The LNT was replaced by a newer LTS Louisville and Ken still says this was the best truck he owned.

Three new four by two stock crates were purchased from Shanks trailers in 1996, 2003 and 2008. A new International Transtar came in 1997, followed by an Iveco PowerStar in 2004, while Ken's final truck, a PowerStar ISX ATN 550 with Eurotronic automated transmission was purchased in 2010. Apart from the Volvo, all the trucks were powered by Cummins motor. With the new prime mover being one of the first released, Ken was interviewed by Diesel magazine as well as Cummins commentary with articles in their magazines.

Ken was a member of the Livestock Transporters Association of South Australia, being a committee member for most of that time. In June 2008 he was awarded Life Membership for outstanding service to the Association.

Ken retired in 2013 after 34½ years as a owner driver. His retirement is spent doing seasonal work carting potatoes, keeping in touch with friends and driving his classic cars.