We have to be honest, having a chat with Jon was something we debated for a long time however, one thing we hate at Copy Southbound is trial by social media so, after many recommendations from people we highly regard in the industry we approached Jon for an all out discussion about his life, his rise and fall, his life after HHA and of course, his passion for trucks in general. He wears his heart on his sleeve and we came away with a new mate as his passion and attention to detail is something to admire. We hope you enjoy this as much as we did.

Glenn Nightingale operated out of the Wollongong area with his stunning light blue fleet of American trucks. Like everyone, he started tough and eventually was able to build up a strong clientele with reliability and service his key factors. After many years of operation, Glenn was approached to sell the company and now lives a quiet life in Ipswich where he met with Bruce to share his story.

BANGERZ CLUB Join the Club | Copy Southbound

A chance meeting on a road trip led Bruce to sit and record Greg and his story as an owner operator. Following a yarn at a caravan park, he agreed to share his life story as a simple, one-truck owner, battling away like so many others. Greg started his career back in a hard era  of road transport and built his business with some strong customers and some strong trucks.

Bruce topped off his Southern adventure by catching up with Stephen O’Hare in Romsey, Victoria. For those guys out there older than me – Bruce’s age – the legend of Tyrone Malon’s Super Boss, Bruce McDonald’s Detroit Devil and Terry O’Hare’s Waltzing Matilda are Legendary. Stephen is Terry’s son and has recently written a book on the famous jet truck which also captures the history of Re Car and Terry’s incredible entrepreneurial brilliance in a way that had Bruce totally star struck. 

BANGERZ CLUB Join the Club | Copy Southbound

Damien Smith contacted us just before heading on our Southern trip and requested we interview his Uncle Mick following a bout of illness. It was meant to be as the plan was to travel straight through Heathcote so we were able to record these awesome members of a diehard trucking family. Bruce was amazed at his surroundings as he was picked up in a 1943 Ford Jailbar and taken to Mick’s parents house that was over 100 years old to sit and record Micks golden era trucking history with Damien by his side. 

Join the Club | Copy Southbound

After working for a couple of well known and respected transport operators, Alina Hawkins met her future husband Kane and started a transition into livestock cartage and road train driving. The two of them ran two-up for quite a few years before expanding the company and running a number of trucks which saw Alina expertly piloting one following her expert tuition. In 2016 she received the LRTAV Outstanding Industry Contribution Award and her ability to research, consult and communicate to rural trucking and Government following years of industry experience resulted in her appointment as COO of the LRTAV. An amazing asset to road transport and a very insightful podcast.

Copy Southbound has opened doors that we never imagined, but by far, the greatest gift has been the amazing people we’ve come to connect with. One amazing man was Barry Grimson, who became a great mate to Bruce and I, and as we soon discovered, was admired by all who knew him. His passing last week following a long battle with cancer cut deep and as tributes flowed across social media, the values and pride Sleepy had in the transport industry resonated with every heartfelt comment.

As a small tribute to Barry, we decided to go back and have another listen to the interview that was recorded back in 2021.

This special episode of Copy Southbound is dedicated to mateship, pride, dedication, survival and honour, all attributes that Sleepy fought for to keep the industry alive as he knew it. Rest easy Good Buddy and thank you for making what we do so worthwhile, we’ll miss you.

After fearing we’d be banned after Episode Number 1, we are bold enough to poke the bear yet again by bringing Bernie Learson back for Round 2!! In all seriousness, Bernie swallowed his pride and took a risk  for us and we couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate 100 episodes than listening to him for another few hours to see what the last 4 years have held for him. It’s hard to put into words just how humbled we are with the continual messages of praise, wisdom, suggestions and admiration for Copy Southbound. On behalf of Bruce, and myself, thank you to all of our listeners, sponsors, BANGERZ Members, interviewees and partners in being part of our community. And a special thanks to Meg Becker and our ever loving families for encouraging and believing in us. 

BECOME A BANGERZ MEMBER www.copysouthbound.com.au 

Paul and Jenny Fellows reside in Deniliquin where they own and operate Fellows Bulk Transport. Not only are these two as genuine as they come, they have also made some amazing contributions to the transport industry and the community in regards to safety, education and promotion of road transport. Along with that, Paul is also the Chair of Natroad, Chair of Trucksafe and recipient of the John Kelly Memorial Award and was also Mayor of Edward River Council. And Jenny recently won the coveted Trucking Industry Woman of the Year. Above and beyond is an understatement.

WIN THE MIDLAND BAR BIG BANGERZ GIVEAWAY | Copy Southbound

Continuing on Bruce’s Riveria trip, he caught up with Bernie Hayllar from Narrandera to get the story of long term company Hayllar Transport. A fair dinkum transport operation, Hayllar’s were well known in country NSW as well as up to Darwin where they operated road trains for many years. Bernie took the company over from his father following a unique sidestep out of the family business working in truck sales where he delivered some iconic mid 80’s show stoppers before returning to run this iconic operation where he still is to this day. Some great history here.