Rochelle Thomas spotted this Western Star log truck parked up at the bottom of the Kaimai Ranges while driver Tim Johnson was having a quick sandwich. The 2012 Western Star was running empty back to Tokoroa, having just unloaded at Port of Tauranga. Tim says he got into driving young, his father was also a log truck driver and Tim remembers going to work with him every chance he could! He would sit on dad‘s lap and hold the wheel, and from about the age of 10 started learning to drive. He has now been driving trucks 28 years and operating for Holmes Group for five years.

At the time he and Rochelle were chatting, his Western Star was one of the only trucks left with the old Mike Lambert signage on the door. Not enough experienced operators and too many over-enthusiastic young ones starting fresh out of the classroom were problems the industry faced, according to Tim. “They may have the theory and basic knowledge there, but not the wisdom. Confidence is good but not too much; more training and actual work experience could really go a long way.” As far as vexing questions go Tim was asked if he would prefer macaroni cheese or good old casserole for tea? Tim smiles, “definitely macaroni cheese!”

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