Robert Wilson
ROBERT DONALD WILSON was born at the Essendon District Hospital on his father's birthday, 17 July, 1967. His father, Jack Wilson, said that Rob was the best birthday gift he could ever have received. From a very young age Rob was fascinated with Trucks. Terry O'Hare lived down road and owned the jet-powered Louisville, Waltzing Matilda. Rob saw her run at Calder Park.
One of his first 'loves' was a Mack called Rebecca Kelly, named after the daughter of Wayne Smith, at United Express Freight. He later he discovered 'Desperado', John and Tracey Rehe's Kenworth W900. As a teenager he often rode his bike from Moonee Ponds where he lived, down to the Kensington Stock Yards and out to Truck City in Campbellfield just to hang around trucks. He'd help out any truck driver and earned himself the reputation as a good kid. His uncle, Ray Champion, carted for Bendigo Pottery and he would let Rob come on interstate trips, riding shotgun with him or his sons Michael and Bruce.
At 18 he became a 'grease monkey' for BNB Freighters in West Melbourne. After BNB closed he got his articulated license and started working for Tom Flood (T J Flood & Co.) doing waterfront container cartage. He worked for Tom for so long he earned himself the nickname Floody. After driving around a few Volvos (iced Vovo's) he finally took the plunge and bought PAM a cab over Kenworth (ex Lennons). He worked PAM around docks for years before putting her out to pasture. He has always called PAM an expensive hobby, but he takes prode in her and continues to keep her in good nick mechanically and cosmetically and enjoys showing her off every now and then at truck shows and events around the country.
During vacations he has helped others by driving trucks during the harvest season at Warracknabeal. He loved the work and being able to help out his friends. Over 30-odd years Rob has become well known in trucking circles and will often be seen taking photos of trucks. He has gone many miles just to get a picture of a truck he likes, quite often it is a cab-over Kenworth he just loves them.