Big Rigs Podcast

FOR almost 30 years now Liz Martin has been the driving force behind the national road transport hall of fame museum in Alice Springs.

More recently she’s been trying to take more of a back seat, and focus on other interests, but after a recent community forum meeting in Alice Springs cast aspersions on her work there, she spoke to Big Rigs editor James Graham for this year’s final Big Rigs Podcast to give her side of the story.

This week we also speak to NSW truckie Mike Williams, who had a recent heart attack scare while driving a chemical tanker in North Queensland.

He speaks about that frightening experience, and shares his health message to other drivers who may be ignoring the warning signs.

And to cap it all off, we’ve got Gary Williams’ tribute to Slim Dusty to share with you, as well as a tribute that our host Graham Harsant (better known as Kermie) wrote about Santa a few years back to get you into the spirit of the Christmas season.

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THE legendary Burrumbuttock hay run is on again in January with demand for feed greater than ever before in drought-stricken Queensland.

To find out more about where the giant convoy is heading next year and how you can also help out, editor James Graham caught up with organiser Brendan Farrell on his first long-haul in his new sponsored Coronado from Freightliner for this week's episode of The Big Rigs Podcast.

Reporter Kate Dodd also spoke to Wagga Wagga truckie Brendon Milliner, a former self-described "solid fella" who decided he needed to drop the kilos and is down 60kg in less than a year.

Host Kermie also caught up with an old compatriot in David Whyte at the recent Castlemaine Truck Show. Dave used to be a truck mag writer who now does interesting things with Scania.

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TRUCKIE Andrew Martin was stunned when a 12kg rock smashed into his windscreen after being thrown off a bridge.

The incident made national headlines this week and highlighted the danger of such behaviours.

Big Rigs spoke to Andrew for this week's Big Rigs Podcast and he told us what was going through his head when he saw the rock hurtling towards him.

This week, editor James Graham also spoke to Paul Simionato, the NHVR's south Australian based operations manager, about a fresh approach to on-road enforcement.

And we can't forget about our host Kermie, who headed to the recent Castlemaine Truck Show and had a chat to a couple of truckie types.

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“RIDICULOUS” fatigue laws and changes to attitudes towards truckies and their role on our roads is what you’ll hear about in the latest episode of The Big Rigs Podcast.

We chatted with Tassie ace Kerry Connors, the Tasmanian Transport Associations’ Driver of the Year, who wants to see a change in attitudes towards truckies on our roads.

She finished third for Caltas in the Volvo world fuel watch challenge in Sweden last year. She spoke to our contributor Brent Davison about a typical day behind the wheel after she was awarded the Tassie crown.

Reporter Kate Dodd also chatted with outspoken Robbie Katter, MP for Traeger and son of outspoken Bob Katter, about amendments he was pushing for fatigue laws for drivers in drought affected areas.

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IN THIS week's episode of The Big Rigs Podcast, our host Kermie explains exactly why his part of the world wouldn't be the same without the presence of Rick "Chocs" Hayman.

Chocs was one of the lively characters Kermie met at the Historic Commercial Vehicle Club of Victoria's annual bash at the Yarra Glen Racecourse.

Also in this episode, Chief Inspector Phil Brooks of the New South Wales Police Force Traffic and Highway Patrol Command branch shares details about a fatality and some other crashes on NSW roads, as well as details about a man who will front court in the new year on 104 charges relating to work diary infringements.

Big Rigs contributor Brent Davison caught up with this year's finalist of the Craig Rosender Award Jason Barry, the owner of Border Crane Consultants in Wodonga, Victoria to find out the secret to Border Crane's success.

DO YOU think truckies should be able to have more room to sleep in their cabs?

Then maybe you should have a look at a petition doing the rounds on Facebook, aimed at truckies who want to change the way trucks are measured so they have more room to sleep.

In this episode of The Big Rigs Podcast, we speak to a driver who wants to change laws, allowing truckies to get a better night’s rest.

Also this week we hear from pilot Matt Hall, who attended the ATA’s recent technology and maintenance conference in Melbourne.

The daredevil pilot shared tales from the Red Bull Air Race World Championship series and had some serious messages for the trucking industry on how to get the best out of yourself and the team around you.

Seeing Machines’ Steven Fletcher also featured on this week’s episode, talking about technology to help keep our truck drivers safer.

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