Busy on rural fuel deliveries near Middlemarch was Matt McLeod from Dunedin. Matt had just unloaded a consignment in Sutton when Craig Andrews caught up with him. Matt was driving his 2013 DAF 85.510 with only 194,000 kms on its clock, but wasn‘t sure how many kilometres the trailer had done, although its black number plate indicates it has obviously been around for quite some time.

Matt‘s been with RD Petroleum five years all up, carting fuel throughout the south and including quite a bit of around town work – hence the 6×4 configuration on the DAF. He has been on this unit only five weeks after a stint delivering bulk aviation gas into Queenstown Airport in a DAF and quad trailer. Today he was on his way up SH 87 through to Middlemarch, Macraes Flat, and then on to Ranfurly via SH 85.

Matt found his way into driving by getting his HT in an old International Acco on the farm where he worked on the Otago Peninsula. That led into various other driving work, including Northern Southland Transport. He has been operating trucks for about 17 years now and enjoys the scenery that the south has to offer, and the fact that he is not confined to an office.

He would like to see more opportunities for young people to get into the industry. The training of young drivers is important and the downside being that you can‘t take your child with you in the cab like you used to. “That‘s where it starts for most drivers.” Matt‘s vexing question was drums or guitar. “Guitar all the way.”

Brought to you by: