FOR almost 30 years now Liz Martin has been the driving force behind the national road transport hall of fame museum in Alice Springs. More recently she’s been trying to take more of a back seat, and focus on other interests, but after a recent community forum meeting in Alice Springs cast aspersions on her work there, she spoke to Big Rigs editor James Graham for this year’s final Big Rigs Podcast to give her side of the story. This week we also speak to NSW truckie Mike Williams, who had a recent heart attack scare while driving a chemical tanker in North Queensland. He speaks about that frightening experience, and shares his health message to other drivers who may be ignoring the warning signs. And to cap it all off, we’ve got Gary Williams’ tribute to Slim Dusty to share with you, as well as a tribute that our host Graham Harsant (better known as Kermie) wrote about Santa a few years back to get you into the spirit of the Christmas season. Make sure you tune in!

Big Rigs Podcast

The Big Rigs Podcast, Season Three, Episode 13

THE legendary Burrumbuttock hay run is on again in January with demand for feed greater than ever before in drought-stricken Queensland. To find out more about where the giant convoy is heading next year and how you can also help out, editor James Graham caught up with organiser Brendan Farrell on his first long-haul in his new sponsored Coronado from Freightliner for this week's episode of The Big Rigs Podcast. Reporter Kate Dodd also spoke to Wagga Wagga truckie Brendon Milliner, a former self-described "solid fella" who decided he needed to drop the kilos and is down 60kg in less than a year. Host Kermie also caught up with an old compatriot in David Whyte at the recent Castlemaine Truck Show. Dave used to be a truck mag writer who now does interesting things with Scania. Make sure to tune in!

The Big Rigs Podcast, Season 3, Episode 12

TRUCKIE Andrew Martin was stunned when a 12kg rock smashed into his windscreen after being thrown off a bridge. The incident made national headlines this week and highlighted the danger of such behaviours. Big Rigs spoke to Andrew for this week's Big Rigs Podcast and he told us what was going through his head when he saw the rock hurtling towards him. This week, editor James Graham also spoke to Paul Simionato, the NHVR's south Australian based operations manager, about a fresh approach to on-road enforcement. And we can't forget about our host Kermie, who headed to the recent Castlemaine Truck Show and had a chat to a couple of truckie types. Make sure you tune in!

The Big Rigs Podcast, Season 3, Episode 11

“RIDICULOUS” fatigue laws and changes to attitudes towards truckies and their role on our roads is what you’ll hear about in the latest episode of The Big Rigs Podcast. We chatted with Tassie ace Kerry Connors, the Tasmanian Transport Associations’ Driver of the Year, who wants to see a change in attitudes towards truckies on our roads. She finished third for Caltas in the Volvo world fuel watch challenge in Sweden last year. She spoke to our contributor Brent Davison about a typical day behind the wheel after she was awarded the Tassie crown. Reporter Kate Dodd also chatted with outspoken Robbie Katter, MP for Traeger and son of outspoken Bob Katter, about amendments he was pushing for fatigue laws for drivers in drought affected areas. Tune in!

The Big Rigs Podcast, Season 3, Episode 10

IN THIS week's episode of The Big Rigs Podcast, our host Kermie explains exactly why his part of the world wouldn't be the same without the presence of Rick "Chocs" Hayman. Chocs was one of the lively characters Kermie met at the Historic Commercial Vehicle Club of Victoria's annual bash at the Yarra Glen Racecourse. Also in this episode, Chief Inspector Phil Brooks of the New South Wales Police Force Traffic and Highway Patrol Command branch shares details about a fatality and some other crashes on NSW roads, as well as details about a man who will front court in the new year on 104 charges relating to work diary infringements. Big Rigs contributor Brent Davison caught up with this year's finalist of the Craig Rosender Award Jason Barry, the owner of Border Crane Consultants in Wodonga, Victoria to find out the secret to Border Crane's success.

The Big Rigs Podcast, Season Three, Episode 9

DO YOU think truckies should be able to have more room to sleep in their cabs? Then maybe you should have a look at a petition doing the rounds on Facebook, aimed at truckies who want to change the way trucks are measured so they have more room to sleep. In this episode of The Big Rigs Podcast, we speak to a driver who wants to change laws, allowing truckies to get a better night’s rest. Also this week we hear from pilot Matt Hall, who attended the ATA’s recent technology and maintenance conference in Melbourne. The daredevil pilot shared tales from the Red Bull Air Race World Championship series and had some serious messages for the trucking industry on how to get the best out of yourself and the team around you. Seeing Machines’ Steven Fletcher also featured on this week’s episode, talking about technology to help keep our truck drivers safer. Make sure you tune in!

The Big Rigs Podcast, Season Three, Episode 8

YOGI’S had a gutful again. In this episode of The Big Rigs Podcast he floats the idea of another licence for professional truck drivers after fuming about another fine he received recently. This time it’s for driving on or over the solid line under a Safe T cam after trying to avoid crashing into another car. We also catch up with the founder of the i98FM Illawarra Convoy, which is coming up soon, and contributor Brent Davidson chat with Tony Wright, who has the lowdown on finding and retaining apprentices – not easy in this day and age.

The Big Rigs Podcast, Season 3, Episode 7.

ENTITLED caravan drivers and Australia's fastest truckie - we've got a great episode of The Big Rigs Podcast for you today! Kermie's still in the hot seat, but it's been a busy week and all with him heading off to Anglesea to have a test run in Freightliner's Cascadia. Reporter Kate Dodd spoke to a truckie who is sick and tired of finding caravan drivers parked up in heavy vehicle rest areas. He spoke with us about just what he thinks needs to be done to put the issue to bed. Contributor Brent Davidson meet up with Gavin Manning - one truckie who likes to go really, really fast. Make sure to tune in!

The Big Rigs Podcast, Season 3, Episode 6

MEET Australia's oldest truck driver. Each morning Peter Ward rocks up to a market garden in south Melbourne to make his daily run to Woolies in his trusty Isuzu rigid. In this week's episode of The Big Rigs Podcast, editor James Graham caught up with the ageless marvel to reminisce about some of his fondest memories behind the wheel. James was also at the Australian Trucking Association's TMC conference this week, where he spoke to Sean Minto, the safety consultant and master code technical writer and to Anthony Laras, the regulatory program and partner manager for Teletrac Navman. Our host Kermie will share his test-drive experience. Make sure to tune in!

The Big Rigs Podcast, Season 3, Episode 5

HAVE you missed what’s been happening in the news this week? Don’t worry, the Big Rigs Podcast is back with a brand new episode. We catch up with Outback Truckers star Glenn “Yogi” Kendall who started the Great Southern Heart’s Drive for Life that’s just wrapped up. Yogi is very passionate about helping out those in need and raising awareness for the trucking industry. Editor James Graham also caught up with owner-operator Garth Stockden, who has been driving a road train in WA for “longer than he cares to remember” who shared his disappointment at discovering a proposed Road Train Assembly Area south of Perth will come up short again. Contributor Brent Davison also spoke to one of the ATA’s Technical and Maintenance Conference speakers, Peter Austin, the manager of vehicle safety and performance at the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator about stability control and new braking laws coming into play. Make sure to tune in!

The Big Rigs Podcast, Season 3, Episode 4

WELCOME back to another episode of The Big Rigs Podcast! This week it's all about Chain of Responsibility, seeing as the new laws came into effect on October 1. Editor James Graham chats with the NHVR's John Gilbert. He also spoke to Paul Graham, Woolworth's chief supply chain officer about some new iniatives being undertaken for mental health. Reporter Kate Dodd spoke to father Shane Fuller about his son's obsession with all things trucking and the cool derby cart he built him inspired by a truck. Make sure to tune in!

The Big Rigs Podcast, Season Three, Episode #3

SPRING has sprung. And it's brought along with it more glorious truck shows! We've just had the American truck Historical Society's annual bash at Echuca and the Deniliquin Truck show and there are heaps coming up. The Big Rigs Podcast host Kermie, who headed out to the Echuca show, said one of the best things about it was listening to the banter between the truckies. "Legends in their own lunchtime" is often their description of each other as tales of life on the road get bandied about, he said. He spoke to Steve Braggs and Richard May at the show, as they reminisced about their past. But that's not all we have for you this episode. Editor James Graham is back with the news and was at the recent Livestock and Rural Transporters Association of Victoria's annual conference in Bendigo, where he listened to National Heavy Vehicle Regulators chief executive officer Sal Petroccitto reflect on the changes he's seen in his four-and-a-half years as top dog.

The Big Rigs Podcast, Season 3, Episode 2

THE Big Rigs Podcast is back with Season Three! We've got a lot for you this week! Kermie is back in the host chair and editor James Graham is back to catch you up on all the latest news. In this episode we headed out to Drake Trailers to help celebrate its 60th anniversary and got a glimpse of the new commemorative die-cast model that drew fans from as far afield as Holland. We also speak to the Victorian Transport Association about how they've manage to broker a truce with a lobby group hellbent on banning access to their city streets. We also acknowledge the importance of the recent RU Okay Day, the nationwide awareness campaign striving for a world in which we're all connected and protected from suicide.

The Big Rigs Podcast, Season 3, Episode 1

WANT to know all about what the Great American Truck Show in Dallas was like? Well, make sure to listen to this episode of The Big Rigs Podcast! Editor James Graham was lucky enough to attend the show in Texas, courtesy of Shell Rimula. We hear from the founder of Real Women in Trucking, Desiree Wood, who, frustrated by the lack of lobby groups for women truckies in the US, decided to do something about it. We also hear from the young Cahill Transport duo, Killian Paasche and Joe Cahill who accompanied James to the states and their impressions of the show and that legendary Texas hospitality. And finally, reporter Kate Dodd caught up with Hino brand development boss Bill Gillespie about Hino’s successful year.

The Big Rigs Podcast, Season 2, Episode 27

WANT to find out more about what Yogi is doing to help out those living in regional areas? He shares plans for his run in this week's episode of The Big Rigs Podcast. Editor James Graham speaks to the new national secretary of the Transport Workers Union, Michael Kaine a few days into his new role to get his response to criticism from the ATA and NatRoad over his ongoing campaign for safe rates. Reporter Kate Dodd also spoke with NSW Police Force Traffic and Highway Patrol Command about Operation Towards Zero and the ongoing situation between rogue truckies and residents of NSW town Ulmarra. Tune in!

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Big Rigs Podcast

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