Biggest ever Lights on the Hill

It was truckie paradise in Queensland's Lockyer Valley on Saturday, February 28, as rigs in their hundreds descended on the racecourse at Gatton for a record-breaking Lights on the Hill Convoy.

Now in its 12th year, the popular event exceeded all expectations in 2015. The official count is yet to be determined, but organisers estimate approximately 785 trucks took part, eclipsing the previous year's record by around 200 rigs.

Backed by major sponsors Brisbane Truck Centre, River 94.9 FM, Masterhire Gatton, Lockyer Valley Regional Council, Land Transport, RoadTeam and Char-Lee Haulage, the event was also assisted by Nolans Interstate Transport, VCV Brisbane and Brown and Hurley Toowoomba, among others, and was staged once again through the tireless efforts of too many volunteers to mention, including of course the Lights on the Hill committee.

Trucks departed in two-pronged convoy bound for Gatton, leaving at 9.30am from the BP at Archerfield and the Brown and Hurley dealership at Toowoomba. The trucks later filed into Gatton Racecourse where truckies, their families, friends and anyone with a passion for big rigs could admire the expanse of gleaming chrome and enjoy a packed line-up of entertainment, including headline acts such as Adam Brand and McAlister Kemp, plus many more.

Organisers are still tallying the money raised from the event, which will go towards a range of worthy charities including CareFlight, Brisbane Coast Guard, the Law Enforcement Torch Run and various local community groups, among others.

President of Lights on the Hill Trucking Memorial, Kerry Wilkins, said the record turnout was a sight to behold.

"It was incredible; it was very humbling," he said.

"The drivers get pecked from pillar to post by the media and when the chips are down it just shows you how much respect we have for one another in this industry – and the respect we have for those who we've lost in this industry."

The Lights on the Hill committee supports and maintains the Lights on the Hill Trucking Memorial – a memorial wall in Gatton that pays tribute to Australia's truck and coach drivers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

Last year's Lights on the Hill Convoy raised nearly $70,000 for charity, and also helped extend the memorial wall and improve wheelchair access.

All manner of prime movers and rigids took part in the 2015 convoy, with many bearing photos and tributes to lost mates and family members.

The lead truck, a 1998 Kenworth T60, was driven by Brisbane's Gary 'Simo' Simpson, with truckies' poet, driver, memorial patron and all-round legend John 'The Ferret' Moran riding shotgun. The Ferret's wife, Margo, was passenger in the second truck.

While the dust has only just settled from this year's record-breaking run, the Lights on the Hill committee has now turned its attention to the recently formed Drought Busters Convoy – an emergency hay run to help drought-stricken farmers in the Mungindi area, north-east of Lightning Ridge, NSW.

Truckies have donated their time and trucks to shift hay to the region's farmers, many of whom are currently faced with shooting their stock after a prolonged period of drought.

Organised by country and western singer Kerry Kennedy, the run will take place this Saturday (March 7) from just out of Goondiwindi, but the preceding Friday night will see a fundraiser held at Goondiwindi's Queensland Hotel featuring an auction and a great line-up of entertainment.

Organisers are seeking the donation of items to be auctioned and especially fuel, along with extra drivers, trucks and trailers.

If you're able to lend a hand in any capacity, take a look at the Drought Busters Convoy facebook page at www.facebook.com/pages/Drought-Busters-Convoy.

Photos courtesy of Alasdair McWhirter (Pictures in Time Photography) and Brian T Lawrence