Philip Norman was born in Hawthorn, Victoria, in 1949. His family firm was Norman Bros Stationers which was established in 1898; it was the Officeworks equivalent of the time. His father, Howard Norman, died in 1959 leaving his mother, Jean, to manage the business which had 400 employees.
Dennis Roohan’s initial interest in trucks and trailers came from his father, Joe, who was the Branch Manager of a local Recar Smash Repair Centre and then years later an assessor at National Transport Insurance (NTI).
Born at The Risk near Kyogle in 1942, Jim Hurley commenced his working life in 1958 as an apprentice motor mechanic under the watchful eye of Alan Brown, who along with Jim’s father Jack, founded Brown and Hurley in 1946.
Hamish Christie-Johnston was born at Corryong in north-east Victoria, the eldest son of Hilary and Hamish Christie-Johnston – who was at the time Parish Minister at the Corryong Presbyterian Church.
Graeme Weston started with Eaton in 1993 as an intern after completing a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering at Swinburne University, but even before then he had a real passion for trucks and the transport industry.
Brian Umpherston was born in Mount Gambier, South Australia, and left school at the age of 13 to work on the family farm at Yahl just out of town.
Upon completing his Mechanical Engineering degree with first class honours at the University of Melbourne in 1979, Hans Prem undertook a PhD at the same University to study vehicle dynamics.
Ken Vorwerk was born and raised at Mount Gambier and has remained living there ever since. In February 1979 he fulfilled his dream to become an owner driver when he and his wife Judy purchased a livestock carrying business.
Graham Lusty was born and raised at Nyah West on the Murray River in the northern reaches of the Mallee district of western Victoria.
Hailing from Bruce Rock in the wheatbelt of Western Australia, Mike Verhoogt, founder of Bruce Rock Engineering, has forged an enviable reputation for designing and building some of the toughest and most versatile trailers in Australia.