The contributions of five men who devoted much of their lives to the road transport industry were celebrated at the Mobil Delvac 1 NZ Road Transport Hall of Fame function in Invercargill on September 29.

Southlanders Ian Guise and George Hedley, Taranaki’s John Geraghty, Trevor Jackson of Pahiatua, and King Country-based Peter Walker are the new inductees to the Hall of Fame in its twelfth year.

The gala dinner, attended by more than 400 guests, was staged at Bill Richardson Transport World, the largest private automotive museum of its type in the world.

The Hall of Fame honours the outstanding contributions made by key individuals in the New Zealand road transport industry. It is the brainchild of Invercargill-based HWR Directors Jocelyn and Scott O’Donnell.

Jocelyn O’Donnell says each of the 2023 inductees has a very different story, but they all share the same incredible passion for the road transport industry.

“Coming together and celebrating these men, each who has played a significant part in forging the way for the future of the road transport industry, is what Hall of Fame is all about,” she says.

“This year’s inductees join some of the most renowned names in the sector, all of whom have assisted in building the road transport industry as we know it today.”

The Hall of Fame raises funds for the ProActive Drive Charitable Trust which provides driver training to young New Zealanders. It is free for teenagers who already hold a driver’s license and gives them the opportunity to take part in a course of theory and practical, hands-on lessons. The programme is also available to corporate drivers.

“ProActive Drive Charitable Trust is a worthy cause to support, and it’s only fitting given that many of the people in attendance at the Hall of Fame have helped in one way or another in making our Kiwi roads safer,” says Scott O’Donnell.

Profiles of the 2023 inductees feature in this month’s New Zealand Truck & Driver magazine, starting on Page 63.