Marc & Lorene Whittam

Inducted into the Shell Rimula Wall of Fame at Reunion 2014.

Mac Whittam was born on the 17th February 1936 and Lorene on the 10th October 1940. They grew up in small country towns in South Australia; Mac in Ashbourne and Lorene in the nearby town of Mount Compass. Mac bought his first truck In 1956; a four ton Bedford A. His first job was delivering milk to the United Dairies factory. The quick lift-off milk canopy enabled him to also carry apples, pears and potatoes when in season. It was not long before a second unit with wind-on stock crates was added, and then a third with an interstate contract to cart ink for the Advertiser.

Lorene took a job at the new Mt Compass milk factory, where she later met Mac. They were married on the 5th December 1964 and settled in Strathalbyn where they established their transport depot, including a workshop and office. Fifty years later it remains home to Whittam Transport. For a long time Mac drove a Dodge 10 series, clocking up over two million miles. Much of it was with a two-and-a-half deck stock crate, built by Mac himself. By 1970 two of their four boys had arrived. To help with parenting duties Mac extended the Dodge cab with a sleeper.

As the business grew Lorene took over the bookwork and began organising loads for their six semi-trailers. She attended the local markets and off-shears sales, often demanding transport for up to 25,000 sheep and lambs. In July 1991 Lorene attended her first Alice Springs cattle sale, and has been a fixture there ever since.Mac and Lorene Whittam have supported the industry through various association memberships, including a 29 year involvement with the Livestock Transport Association of South Australia. Whittam Transport has steadily grown over the years with a diverse range of freight that is typical of a country carrier. Old favourite trucks like a Dodge 760 Series moved aside for Volvos and Macks. Today Whittams operates with over 20 Kenworths.

Mac has eased into retirement but Lorene continues to be involved with both business administration and livestock operations, and doesn't look like slowing down anytime soon.