What we do without our emergency services? After all, they are the people we turn to in dire situations…
Unfortunately, government funding for local emergency services isn’t always enough.
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To bridge that gap, truck lovers in Colac, Victoria thought, ‘why not have a truck show?’ And so the Colac Truck and Ute Show was born.
The joint fundraiser between the Colac Fire Brigade and SES Unit this year collected over a whopping $30,000 for some much-needed equipment and facilities.
Three years in, and the event has exceeded expectations with impressive figures from the 2025 show.
“To be honest, this year was fantastic!” says chair of the event Daniel Williams. “It was our biggest event yet with 120 trucks and 40 Utes.”
Around 4,000 people graced the showgrounds, making it an event to remember.
“There was such a mix of vehicles,” he says. “Both old and new.”
“But one that really stood out was the Kenworth T509 released by Morris Transport. It was lit up with purple lights and was an impressive sight to see.”
There was also plenty more excitement in store for the rest of the day, with market and trade stalls on display, kids’ entertainment and live music to bop around to.
But for Daniel, the biggest highlight wasn’t the trucks, nor the entertainment. It was the community who turned up for the small town of Colac.
“Though I was busy running around for the show, seeing so many people and trucks attending for the event was truly awesome to see,” he says.
“It was a massive effort to pull this show together, the funds we raised are hard to come by.
“For us to be able to raise that sort of money is just crazy, it can go towards a lot of good for us moving forward.”
The success of Colac is more than just financial, but a testament to the community, and also shines a spotlight on the town’s volunteer services.
“A lot of people don’t realise what we do, so this is a chance for us to put ourselves on show.”
As the dust settles on this year’s event, the Colac Truck and Ute Show is a shining example of how a community can come together to support those who give their time and effort selflessly.
Awards:
Truck of the Show Robbie Rose – 1988 Ford LTL 9000
Best Truck 0-5 years Noel McLeod – 2024 Kenworth T909
Best Truck 5-10 years Steve Settineri – 2018 Kenworth T900 Legend
Best Truck 10-20 years Luke Watts – 2007 Kenworth T904
Best Truck 20-30 years Shirl McCosker – 1996 International Transstar 4700
Best Vintage Truck 30+ years Troy Moreland – 1980 Ford LNT 9000
Best Local Truck (Colac Otway Shire) Noel McLeod – 2024 Kenworth T909
Best Highway Truck Layne Moulds – 2022 Kenworth T909
Best Log Truck Sam Dicker – 2024 Kenworth T909
Best Livestock Truck Jason Keen – 2023 Kenworth T909
Best Restoration Truck Ryan Higgins – 1985 Mack R Model
Best European Truck Peter Shiells – 1974 International Atkinson Halfcab
Best American Truck Darren Russell – 2024 Kenworth T610 SAR
Best Rigid Truck Larry Whitten – 1987 Kenworth T600
Best Tipper Truck Lewis Johnstone – 2024 Kenworth T909
Best Tow Truck (Tilt Tray or Heavy Tow) Modern Towing – 2023 Kenworth T610
People’s Choice – Truck Will Snell – 2024 Kenworth T659
Best Fleet (3 or more Trucks) Morris Transport
Ute of Show Scott Campbell – 1952 Holden FX
Best Ute 0-5 years Ross McNabb – 2021 Ford Raptor
Best Ute 5-10 years Andrew Cook – 2020 GMC Denali
Best Ute 10-20 years Paul Bateman – 2014 Holden VF SSV
Best Ute 20-30 years Jack Blazely – 1997 Toyota Landcruiser
Best Vintage Ute 30+ years Rob Debets – 1981 Holden WB
Best Standard Ute Mark Farrelly – 2007 Holden SS Commodore
Best BNS Ute Bill Wakling – 2000 Holden VU Commodore
Best 4×4 Ute Zamia Noseda – 2016 Toyota Hilux
Best Custom Ute Chris Atkinson – 1989 Ford F150 Custom
People’s Choice – Ute Alex Tobias – 2003 Holden VY
Read more:
- Children in need receive new hope from Centurion
- Almost three decades and 100 brand-new Kenworths later
- Supporting fellow truckies at Clunes Historic Vehicle Show
- Driving for change one pink truck at a time
- Trucking runs through the workers veins at JATEC Transport
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If you have a truck resto/story you would like to share, please email tiane.gavillucci@primecreative.com.au