Bay transport experts honoured

Two Western Bay residents were among the eight people honoured at the inaugural NZ Road Transport Hall of Fame Awards Dinner.

The late Sir Robert Owens of Tauranga and Mount Maunganui man Neil Clarke were among those deemed to have made a major contribution to the road transport industry in New Zealand at the awards on Friday.

Mr Owens set up a company manufacturing canvas covers which was the beginning of The Owens Group which became one of Australasia's biggest logistics companies

He also served in local body politics as mayor of Tauranga and was instrumental in breaking an Australian led trade ban against Chile.

Mr Clarke entered the transport industry when he joined Joe Brenan, the owner of McCarten Bros Ltd, Onehunga in 1955.

After many takeovers and amalgamations, now under the new name of Provincial Transport Group, the company has expanded to over 100 trucks with depots throughout the North Island.

Mr Clarke has also received many awards including an OBE for his contribution to road transport and banking.

The other people inducted into the hall of fame were Jim Barker, John Emmerson, Lachie Griffen, Ron Carpenter, Tony Friedlander and the late Bill Richardson.

The Hall of Fame was initiated by Scott and Jocelyn O'Donnell of HW Richardson Group after attending a similar awards function in Australia late last year.

The annual gala dinner will see up to eight individuals inducted into the Hall Of Fame each year.

Go to www.roadtransporthalloffame.co.nz to read the full biographies of the eight.