Vale Terry Nolan

The owner of Queensland-based firm Nolan's Interstate Transport, Terry Nolan, has passed away after a short illness

The Australian truck industry has been saddened by the death of Terry Nolan, owner of Gatton-based road freight company, Nolan’s Interstate Transport.

Mr Nolan passed away in hospital this morning after a short illness, aged 69.

Terry and his wife, Daphne, took the reins to DM and MT Nolan Interstate Transport from Terry’s father, Mick, in the early 1970s, when it had just a small handful of trucks and staff. From those humble beginnings the pair built Nolan’s Interstate Transport into one of Queensland's road freight heavyweights, expanding its footprint from Queensland’s Lockyer Valley to encompass the entire country.

Today the company has several hundred vehicles and staff. It has gained a wide range of quality assurance accreditations and has won numerous awards over the years. Terry is pictured at the 2011 National Trucking Industry Awards, where he and Daphne were joint winners of the Outstanding Contribution to the Australian Trucking Industry award.

The Chair of the Australian Trucking Association, Noelene Watson, said Terry was one of the industry’s great success stories.

“When Terry and Daphne took over DM and MT Nolan from his father in the early 1970s, the business had three trucks and three employees,” she said.

“Today the company is one of the largest family-owned transport businesses in Queensland. It’s also one of the safest and most professional transport businesses in the state.

“Terry was heavily involved in the development of better fatigue and work health and safety standards in the industry, including the ATA’s TruckSafe program.

“He was one of the real characters of our industry as well. Whenever you were at a function, you knew when he was there – there was lots of laughter and lots of fun. But if you rang him for help with something, he was always there for you.

“Terry will be missed by everyone. At this sad time, all our thoughts are with Daphne, his children and the other members of his family.”

Vale Terry Nolan

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