The 6^th of April 2016 came around very quickly in preparing for our 50 Years of Kenworth Truck Show! It was a balancing act between not disrupting customers and staff over the Friday and Saturday when we set up the stage, food stalls, lawn garden area and trucks. Of course, our industry never stops and we juggled trucks in and out of the workshop, the yard, and around the show.

A big thank you goes out to our staff and customers for their flexibility! Frantic activity on social media regarding the truck show and the attending trucks spread the word far and wide and as a result the attendance on the day was estimated to be up to 700 people through the gate!

Entry into the show and all the food and beverages were for a gold coin donation, with all funds raised going to a charity close to my heart, the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

The Show & Shine categories had an online registration for Working Trucks 1-5 years, 5-25 years, over 25 years, DAF Truck of Show, Best Fleet and Best in Show. In hindsight, a People’s Choice award would also be a good category. Many registered online but at least another 50 trucks turned out on the day to be judged by long time Kenworth and truck enthusiast, and CMV Director Michael Crawford. Not the most relaxing assignment for the day having to crawl over more than 100 beautifully presented trucks, all worthy of recognition to award prizes in each category. Congratulations to our winners & runner-ups!

WINNERS

Best Fleet - Gilberts Transport
Best in Show - Ross Contractors T900
Best Truck Over 25 Years - Bakoulis Interstate Transport K100E
Best Working Truck 5-25 Years - JAC Trans T601
Best Working Truck 1-5 Years - A&J Salter Transport T909

RUNNER UPS

Best Fleet - Adelaide Wholesale Landscape Supplies
Best Truck Over 25 Years - Leo Kelly with a W Model
Best Working Truck 5-25 Years - Rural Haulage K108
Best Working Truck 1-5 Years - Heywood Freightlines K200

Michael certainly had his work cut out for him, not to mention getting distracted along the way talking to many old friends, customers and acquaintances in the crowd! While the judging was being conducted over a 3.5hr period, there were plenty of other attractions and events with live music by Two Chez Duo, a truck jumping castle, face painting, popcorn, fairy floss, balloon artist and ice-cream for the children. For the adults there were trucks to appreciate, food vans, bar facilities and the Royal Flying Doctor Service plane simulator!

We also had some of our incredibly talented local parts and accessories suppliers attend on the day to showcase their product, from Bruze Custom Trucks, Lightforce, Monroe, Baron Engineering, Blinghood, Truck Factory and Truckworks!

Australia’s strongest man, Jordan ‘Biggie’ Steffens was back for yet another truck pull at our dealership. This was easily the highlight of the day for our customers and their children, with many taking part in their own ‘strong man’ competition led by our host, Terry Rogers! It was fantastic to see all the children getting involved and pumping up the crowd before the truck pull. Jordan pulled a 20t Truckworks 6x4 prime mover!

A big thank you is in order to Truckworks, for their fantastic crane display and truck pull vehicle!

We also cannot forget to thank Murray and Kaye Langford of Quarry Industries, Mount Gambier, for presenting and displaying their beautiful Kenworth on the day. The truck has been meticulously restored and looks fantastic. Their Kenworth was the largest and most expensive truck CMV had ever handled when we sold it in the 1960’s, and to have entered Australia at that point in time!

We saw overwhelming generosity from our guests on the day. As food, refreshments, entertainment and truck registration were complimentary from CMV Truck Centre, we asked our guests to simply bring a gold coin for donation to the Royal Flying Doctor Service, a cause close to our hearts here at the dealership. Thanks to our valued customers, their friends, family and the public, we raised just over $6,000 for the RFDS! Thank you to all who have contributed to the RFDS program which will help replace flying intensive care units.  

Thank you to all who joined us on the day to celebrate 50 Years of Kenworth at CMV Truck Centre. Look out for the next CMV Truck Show in the near future! 

Jonathan Crawford,
General Manager