WOOLSTHORPE truckie, Peter Shiells, and owner-operator of local transport business, P.J. Shiells Transport, was recently inducted into the National Road Transport Hall of Fame in Alice Springs for his service and lifetime dedication to the transport industry.

Now aged 51, Mr Shiells began his working life as a mechanic apprentice and at a Warrnambool woollen mill. 

At age 19, he got his truck licence and returned to work with his father in the family’s Woolsthorpe trucking business his parents had established which focused on cartage of fertiliser, cattle, sheep and hay.

“My grandfather started the trucking business, and my parents had their own separate business to my grandfather,” Mr Shiells said.

“When my grandfather passed away, his business was absorbed into my father’s business.

“I got my truck licence and became a full-time truck driver.

“Not long after that I purchased my first truck.

“It was an international S/Line – 22-wheeler and we grew the business up a bit bigger – running three trucks at that stage.”

Mr Shiells took over Shiells Transport in 2002 when his father, Arthur passed away and was kept busy with cartage all around the Western District carting stock, hay and wool, from local farms to saleyards and ports.

Mr Shiells has been heavily involved in the community and in the industry through the Livestock and Rural Transporters Association of Victoria as a delegate and on the executive committee.

He has also been a strong advocate for road safety and better road conditions in the Western District.

“I’ve sponsored a couple of local football clubs … Caramut Football Club and Russell’s Creek in Warrnambool … been involved in sponsorships in local schools, that sort of thing,” Mr Shiells said.

“I was also involved in the Aussie Truckers Calendar 2018 and 2019 to raise money for the Let’s Talk Foundation.

“We got a heap of truck drivers down to their jocks in Dunkeld and raised a heap of money – all up about $5000.

“Family obviously nominated me, but you’re inducted with other people in the industry - you feel proud to be recognised in the same category as those people.”

Mr Shiells’ two daughters - Amanda Shiells and Nathalia Shiells - and Nathalia’s two children, Audrey and Kayden, all travelled to Alice Springs for the induction ceremony.

“There was 150 odd people there – they just read (my) name out and read the actual nomination statement that my daughter wrote about me - which was just about how I started off in the transport industry,” he said.

“You get a medal and certificate.

“It’s a good life - I’ve enjoyed the lifestyle, met a lot of good people, and become close friends over time.

“There were two other local blokes in the area that were inducted into the Hall of Fame.”

Mr Shiells was adamant he didn’t want to hog the limelight from two other local truckies who were also inducted into the National Road Transport Hall of Fame; the late Noel Halliwell from Warrnambool who passed away last year and Peter Annett from Heywood.

Mr Halliwell’s wife, Joanne, travelled to Alice Springs for her late husband’s induction ceremony with Mr Halliwell’s two sons, his mother, sister, nephews, and close friends.

“It was a really good tribute to his years of service and all the long hours and weekends he put in - in a job he loved,” Mrs Halliwell said.

“He went to uni and became an accountant but walked out of there and jumped in a truck and drove for the next 26 years working for Matthews Petroleum in Warrnambool.

“He passed away suddenly in September last year when he was only 47.

“It was Mr Halliwell’s friends, Paul Brian and Paul Gleeson from Koroit who submitted the posthumous nomination for Mr Halliwell.”

Peter Annett, better known as PJ, owner/operator of Annett Cartage Contractors of Heywood, who runs the business with his son Nick Annett, and his wife Lindy, was also inducted into the National Road Transport Hall of Fame.

Mr Annett was recognised for his long service to the transport industry and was joined by several family members in Alice Springs for the ceremony.

Mr Annett began his career in the transport industry from a young age joining his father for the local “milk runs”.

After leaving school he had a short stint as a mechanic before obtaining his truck licence and progressing to buy his first truck.

Although, now aged 80, he is not yet fully retired and still sometimes gets behind the wheel.

“But only occasionally,” he said.

“I don’t go interstate anymore, except across the border into Mount Gambier.

“I mainly do runs for service purposes to get a major service on one of the trucks.

“I’m the cheapest employee we’ve got.”

Mr Annett’s love for the transport industry is obvious with his nomination screed saying he epitomised the true essence of the Australian truck driver, an iconic character, well known for his mateship.

Opened in 1995, the National Road Transport Hall of Fame was borne out of industry concerns that vintage trucks were being left to rust away on rural properties or cattle stations.

The transport museum is run by volunteers dedicated to the preservation of Australia’s unique road transport heritage, in testimony to the trials and tribulations of Australia’s road transport industry’s pioneers.