Trucking business joins growing list of those running events during TruckWeek
New South Wales trucking outfit Formula Chemicals has signed on to promote the industry during TruckWeek 2014, announcing it will hold a truck display and barbecue on September 4.
The event will be held at local Sydney school Melrose Park Public.
Formula Chemicals will provide a barbecue lunch and showbags for the 160 school students and present the school with a $500 donation. It will display one of its pallet trucks, a Volvo tautliner, a Mack prime mover and a fire engine on the day.
TruckWeek is held every two years to celebrate the trucking industry and raise its profile in the broader community. The 2014 event will run from September 1 to 8.
Formula Chemicals director Leigh Smart says TruckWeek is an opportunity to improve the industry’s reputation and people’s understanding of the role trucking plays.
“Our fleet of seven trucks are all modern, regularly replaced, maintained to the highest standards and accredited through a number of schemes, including TruckSafe,” Smart says.
“At the end of the day, we’d like the kids to understand that everything they get on the table at home has travelled by truck. Groceries don’t just come from the supermarket – across Australia, responsible truck drivers work very hard to move 70 per cent of Australia’s domestic freight.”
Formula Chemicals has also managed to involve state and local politicians. State MP for Ryde Victor Dominello and State MP for Parramatta Dr Geoff Lee will attend, along with Ryde mayor Roy Maggio.
“Melrose Park Public School is a tiny little school near our business. I have five grandkids there. We sponsor the school fairly regularly because it’s a great way to give back to the community,” Smart says.
Formula Chemicals’ scheduled event is one of a number already in the works.
The Australian Trucking Association (ATA), which organises TruckWeek, will hold a delegation at Parliament House in Canberra on September 3 and 4 to talk to federal politicians about issues affecting the industry.
The Goulburn Valley Transport Group in Victoria will host a dinner to celebrate TruckWeek, while Shepparton-based Graham Thompson Motors will hold a politician drive day to give elected officials the chance to meet local trucking operators and gain an insight into the issues the industry faces on a daily basis.
Events are also planned at the Alice Springs Truckies Reunion and Simon National Carriers to coincide with TruckWeek.
“I congratulate Formula Chemicals and our other event holders, and urge every trucking business to hold an event in their local area and take part in TruckWeek 2014,” ATA CEO Stuart St Clair says.
“This is our chance to show Australia how trucking delivers.”