Over the last four years, 13 stories about local transport companies, transport families and drivers have been painstakingly researched and collated for inclusion.
The book was written by local author Garry Baker with two additional contributions, one each from Tertia Butcher and Carole Stevenson.
Mr Baker worked with the Truck Show Committee and publishers at Deniliquin Newspapers Pty Ltd to deliver the 170 page history.
Truck Show Committee vice president John Creenaune said the launch will be a highlight of tomorrow night’s Deniliquin & District Transport Wall of Fame Dinner.
Edward River Council Deputy Mayor Paul Fellows, who is also personally involved in the transport industry, will officiate the launch.
‘‘The book was an idea discussed by the Deniliquin Truck Show Committee as we were going over more of the comprehensive Wall of Fame nominations we received for the 2017 event,’’ Mr Creenaune said.
‘‘While not all of the people featured in the book have been nominated for or inducted into the Wall of Fame, it was reading through the nominees’ rich histories that we felt there were industry stories that needed to be recorded for the future.
‘‘The plan is to have future editions featuring more of the icons of the industry.
‘‘We battled on with our plans for the book during the COVID-19 pandemic, which cancelled two of our annual events.
‘‘It takes time to get stories and histories like this together, and to get them right, and we’re proud to finally be releasing this book.
‘‘The stories included have been updated to current day — right up until the time of printing.’’
With its specific contents a tightly held secret up until the launch, Mr Creenaune said copies of the book can be purchased at the dinner for $40 each.
After that, the book can be purchased at The Depot Deniliquin.
Tomorrow night’s dinner has been dubbed a ‘COVID Catch-up Dinner’.
Six people will be inducted to the Wall of Fame on the night, representing the 2020 and 2021 inductions that were cancelled.
A 2022 induction is then expected to be held later this year.
The evening will feature a two-course dinner and a panel of guest speakers including NSW-based accreditation consultant Ian Pendered, lifelong trucker Barry Grimison — who at 75 is still behind the wheel of a B-double — and Gary Hussey.
There will also be door prizes, and a small raffle of donated goods. Prizes include a bar fridge adorned with truck show signage, spare wheels, and other ‘odds and ends’.
Purtills managing director Neville Purtill, whose family has been in transport for more than 70 years and whose company has sponsored the Truck Show since its inception, said it’s great to see the committee able to put on a celebration.
‘‘Normally we sponsor the truck show itself, but we’ve jumped on to support the dinner to ensure it could go ahead after a two year break,’’ Mr Purtill said.
‘‘It’s great that we can come together again to recognise those in the industry who deserve recognition, and to build up to when we can have a full truck show again.’’
Tickets for the dinner are available from the Deniliquin RSL, either in person or online, for $50 a head. Sales close at noon today.
Drinks are available from 5.30pm, and dinner from 6.30pm onwards.
