Donna Vawdrey, the daughter of Australian trucking legend Thora ‘Toots’ Holzheimer, is the guest speaker of this year’s Deniliquin and District Transport Wall of Fame induction dinner.
The dinner forms part of the Deniliquin Truck Show and Industry Expo, which is proudly supported by the Rotary Club of Deniliquin.
The dinner kicks off proceedings on Friday, October 25, at the Deniliquin RSL Club.
The weekend continues with the expo at the Deniliquin Festival Site on the Saturday, and a memorial service at the North Deniliquin Truck Stop on the Sunday.
Toots was one of Australia's best known truckies, and her sparkling Blue Man prime mover has pride of place in the National Transport Hall of Fame at Alice Springs.
She and her truck were the lifeline for the communities the length of Cape York, wet or dry, until Toots was tragically killed during a loading accident on the wharf at Weipa in 1992.
Mrs Vawdrey has shared her mother’s story in the book Toots: Woman in a man’s world.
She will speak about her mother’s exploits on the road, drawing from stories in the book. Copies of the book can be purchased on the night.
Dinner tickets include a two-course meal, goods and services auctions and much more and can be purchased at www.trybooking.com/CSTVH.
The action moves to the Deniliquin Festival Site - home of the Deni Ute Muster - for the Saturday, when the fierce truck judging competition steals the spotlight.
The truck judging competition offers diverse categories, ensuring something for everyone. Entrants can compete for titles such as 'Best Truck of the Show', 'Best Local Truck', 'Best Non-American Truck', and various age-based categories.
There will also be trade sites, food stalls, face painting, interactive games and bouncy castle, and make sure to pick up some Truck Show merchandise.
Even if you don't own a truck, you could still drive away a winner thanks to the mega auction.
Entry of Saturday is $15 per person, with under 15s free.
For Saturday tickets, go to www.trybooking.com/CUQKS.