Alice to lose Trucking Hall of Fame?

The Hall of Fame and everything in it could soon be on the road again!

Alice Springs is set to lose its landmark National Road Transport Hall of Fame due to an alarming increase in crime according to Chief Executive Liz Martin. “The rising cost of continual break-ins, theft and damage to priceless museum pieces is the driving force behind the consideration to move,” Liz told Trucksales.com.au.

“We have CCTV, six-foot high perimeter fences with barbed wire and people living at every corner of the museum complex and the break-ins are on the increase,” Liz continued.

“This new generation of youngsters are a very street smart and show little compassion for people or property. Last month three of our volunteers had their vehicles broken into with estimated damages to one vehicle exceeding $10,000 and we’ve had two deliberately lit fires on the museum’s perimeter.”

It’s now a weekly occurrence,” Liz added. “Enough is enough!”

Liz is fed up with the Northern Territory Government’s ‘softly softly’ approach to dealing with the issue. “We are just sick and tired of the crime,” Liz says. “It’s certainly the driving force behind investigating alternative locations for the National Road Transport Hall of Fame.

“Alice Springs is a destination in its own right,” Liz explained. “It has that iconic status where tourists flock and it’s the tourism dollar that sustains the museum. So we’re looking at other iconic towns which can support our activities especially our annual truckies' reunion and convoy.”

“Broken Hill is one of the venues we’re looking at, however we’re also looking at other locations as well. Meantime we’ve had serious offers from Victoria and South Australia,” she added.

“We are also exploring the option of loaning some of our exhibits to other transport memorial locations and museums,” she added. “There is a terrific new venue in Shepparton Victoria that is keen for some of our collection. When the new renovations are complete at the Tarcutta memorial they will have the ability to house some of our exhibits too.”

“The committee is exploring all options at the moment,” Liz says.

Bill Mason a retired truck driver from New South Wales is one person that would like to see the National Road Transport Museum relocated to a more accessible location.

“Alice Springs is long way from anywhere and far too expensive for many retired transport people to visit,” Bill said. “A single return flight from Sydney to Alice Springs today costs about $1800. If the National Road Transport Hall of fame was located at a central place like Albury or Wagga Wagga it would be more accessible to a larger audience. A return airfare from Sydney to Albury is only $350 which is significant when compared to visiting Alice Springs.”

When we asked Bill his thoughts on Broken Hill as possible new home for the National Road Transport Hall of Fame his reply was simple with the quick wittiness of an old truckie.

“It’s a bit like your ex-girlfriend, you’ve been there once and you’re not going to go back,” he replied.

A spokesperson from Kenworth was unavailable to comment on how the relocation of the National Road Transport Hall of Fame would affect their Dealer Hall of Fame and large collection of new Kenworth trucks located on the site.

Liz Martin concluded by saying: “The committee have a meeting with the Northern Territory Government next Thursday (November 30) where we hope to be able to resolve the issue”.

Alice to lose Trucking Hall of Fame?

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