Eight individuals have had their contributions to the road transport industry honoured at the first inaugural Road Transport Hall of Fame dinner, held on Friday, September 31 – at the Bill Richardson Truck Museum in Invercargill.
Some 450 people attended the event. The eight inductees included two posthumous awards and fittingly one of those was for Bill Richardson, the man who began the museum which he called his ‘shed’.
The Hall of Fame was initiated by Scott and Jocelyn O’Donnell, of HW Richardson Group, after attending a similar awards function in Australia late last year. They returned to New Zealand determined to initiate the concept on this side of the Tasman and just nine months later the concept came to life.
The full list of inductees follows:
Posthumous awards:
Bill Richardson – Invercargill (1940-2005)
Bill began his career in the industry when he persuaded his father to allow him to expand Southern Transport. The acquisition of many companies followed, building the business to become one of New Zealand’s largest privately-owned companies. Bill passed away in 2005, but his legacy lives on both in the company he built and the truck museum that bears his name.
Sir Robert Owens – KNZM, CBE, Order Of Merit Chile – Tauranga (1921- 1999)
Bob Owens emigrated to New Zealand in 1946 settling in Tauranga. He set up a company manufacturing canvas covers which was the beginning of The Owens Group which became one of Australasia’s biggest logistics companies. He also served in local body politics as Mayor Of Tauranga and Mount Maunganui while he was instrumental in breaking an Australian-led trade ban against Chile.
Other awards:
Jim Barker – Otorohanga
Since beginning his involvement in the transport industry with the Otorohanga Transport Ltd Group in 1963, Jim’s portfolio has expanded to the extent that the Barker Transport Group was formed in 2012 – incorporating Freight Lines Ltd, Manawatu Transport Ltd, Stock Lines Ltd and Strait Shipping Ltd.
John Emmerson – Hastings
After spending the early part of his life in farming, John and his two sons formed Emmerson Transport Limited (ETL). In the years since, the company has acquired Lindco Transport and Bruce Hill Transport. ETL now has six North Island depots while John has served seven years on the board of the Road Transport Forum, and has been a member of the RTA Hawkes Bay branch for the last 25 years, serving some time as chairman. He holds life memberships with CARTA, Road Transport Forum and Road Transport Association, Hawkes Bay branch.
Lachie Griffen ONZM – Governors Bay, Christchurch
After driving trucks for many years Lachie and two partners set up Governors Bay Transport Limited. After buying out his partners he went on to become a pioneering figure in the industry. In 1974 Lachie won the tender for the local school bus run in his area. Now 90 years of age, he has served as chairman of the Road Transport Alliance and is a life member of the Road Transport Association.
Neil Clarke OBE, QSO, KSS, JP – Mt Maunganui
Neil entered the transport industry when he joined Joe Brenan, the owner of McCarten Bros Ltd, Onehunga in 1955. After many takeovers and amalgamations, now under the new name of Provincial Transport Group, the company has expanded to over 100 trucks with depots throughout the North Island. Neil has also received many awards including an OBE for his contribution to road transport and banking.
Ron Carpenter – Palmerston North
At the age of 26 Ron set up a home-based truck sales business. In 1972 he became the NZ distributor for Mack Trucks. A name change eventually saw his company named Motor Truck Distributors and the mid 80’s saw Ron receive distribution rights to ERF, Renault, Hino and MAN. More expansion followed before, in 1988, Ron accepted an offer for the business. He then founded Truck Leasing Limited which now trades as Fleet Partners. In 1992 Trailer Rentals, now known as TR Group Limited was also formed and is headed by Ron’s son Andrew.
Tony Friedlander – Wellington
Tony was the National MP for New Plymouth from 1975-1987. After leaving politics he was the chief executive of the Road Transport Forum until his retirement in 2010.
The posthumous recipients were represented by family members at the event while all other inductees were present at the dinner to receive their awards.
The induction of the late Bill Richardson was an extremely poignant moment – while for the recipients who were present it was a humbling occasion. For the likes of 90-year-old Lachie Griffen it capped off a great career in the industry.
www.roadtransporthalloffame.co.nz/inductees/2012-inductee-showcase
All proceeds for the dinner will go to Pro Active Drive, a trust which provides free driver training to secondary school students throughout the South Island.
The annual gala dinner will see up to eight individuals inducted into the Hall of Fame each year.
