Standing from left: Hayden Cheer, Kevan Withers, Bruce Wilton, Ross Caske, Pat Groube, Danny Claasen, Brent Cooksley, David Beech, Bob Fraser, Barry O’Connor, Brendan Bold, Jason Voice, Murray Sowerby, Gary Ayling, Zane Ryan, Dave Jonasen, Jim Wilson, Evan Bang.

Seated/kneeling from left: Bevan Udy, Vern Marshal, Ron Carpenter, Bill Alexander, Carl Alexander, Robbie Shawn, Andrew Prenter.

First thoughts might lead you to think this is not the usual angle for a Good On Ya Mate piece, but hats off to the Motor Truck Distributors Mack assembly workers for gathering recently and demonstrating teamwork, self-belief and creating something special lives on forever.

Good on ya Mate – the column where we celebrate anyone who has done something to make a workmate’s day a little easier. How then does a reunion of the original Motor Truck Distributors Palmerston North Mack assembly plant and management crew, plus a few notables from successive generations, qualify as a Good On Ya Mate?

Well, it’s all in the message the reunion sends. Many of the true pearls life delivers are the result of the personal journeys we undertake. Incredible things happen when a group of disparate individuals comes together and work as a team against the odds toward a common goal.

Bonds are formed around words like grit, cooperation, determination, courage, tenacity, standards and leadership. Situations where people are entrusted with a level of responsibility they may have felt inadequate to shoulder – yet took up the challenge and grew as individuals and as a company.

The result of such journeys is best exemplified by gatherings like the one at Clive and Donna Taylor’s in Paraparaumu late last year.

A group that shared a special time in history, now 24 years gone; a period likely to be the cornerstone of their careers. The turnout was as close to complete as you could hope and included the business’ inspirational lead-from-the-front boss, Ron Carpenter. Few people have garnered the level of respect in the industry Ron has.

The key to such association and unity lies not in modern- day dross like broadcasting the mistakes of others on social media in the misguided belief it will somehow elevate your standing or capability. No, it resides in behaviours like lending a hand, pitching in and contributing to the creation of something worthwhile, something that fosters camaraderie and trust.

To the Motor Truck Distributors Mack assembly plant crew and those who built a fantastic brand, we say, “Good On Ya Mate”.

This Good On Ya Mate is dedicated to the memory of Graeme Taylor who was unable to attend the reunion due to failing health and who passed away shortly after.