Owner/Driver #328

ownerdriver
EDITORIAL
Managing Editor: Greg Bush
Ph: 07 3101 6602 Fax: 07 3101 6619
E-mail: gbush@bauer-media.com.au
Digital Content Manager/Deputy Editor:
Cobey Bartels Ph: 0409 044 128
E-mail: cbartels@bauer-media.com.au
Technical Editor: Steve Brooks
E-mail: sbrooks.trucktalk@bigpond.com
Contributors: Warren Aitken, John Beer,
Warren Clark, Geoff Crouch, Rod Hannifey,
Michael Kaine, Sarah Marinovic, Rob McKay,
Steve Skinner, Ken Wilkie
BEHIND THE WHEEL Greg Bush
Strange days indeed
Cartoonist: John Allison
PRODUCTION
Sub-editor: Cat Fitzpatrick
Designer: Bea Barthelson
Print: APN Print
ADVERTISING
Brand Sales Manager (Qld):
Sean Owens Ph: 0439 739 933
E-mail: sean.owens@bauertrader.com.au
State Sales Manager (Qld):
David Wiltshire Ph: 0466 009 383
E-mail: david.wiltshire@bauertrader.com.au
Sales Manager (Vic):
Matt Alexander Ph: 03 9567 4211
E-mail: matt.alexander@bauertrader.com.au
Sales Manager (NSW):
Antony Bladen Ph: 0437 371 097
E-mail: antony.bladen@bauertrader.com.au
Sales Manager (SA):
Nick Lenthall Ph: 08 8212 6256
E-mail: nick.lenthall@bauertrader.com.au
Sales Manager (WA):
Greg Boase Ph: 0408 516 176
E-mail: greg.boase@bauertrader.com.au
Agency Sales Manager (NSW):
Max Kolomiiets Ph: 02 8275 6486
E-mail: max.kolomiiets@bauertrader.com.au
MARKETING & DISTRIBUTION
Marketing Manager: Andrew Amato
Ph: 03 9567 4145
E-mail: andrew.amato@bauertrader.com.au
Circulation Manager: Stuart Jones
Ph: 03 9567 4207
E-mail: stuart.jones@bauertrader.com.au
DISTRIBUTION QUERIES
Distributed by Ovato Distribution
EXECUTIVE GROUP
GM – Transport & Machinery: Graham Gardiner
Group Finance Manager: Cain Murphy
Senior Producer: Tim Kenington
Support Services Manager: Regina Fellner
Sales Director: Matt Rice
Group GM Trader: Terry Williams-King
ISSN 1321-6279
SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR ALL SUBSCRIPTION SALES AND ENQUIRIES
www.ownerdriver.com.au and click subscribe
E-mail: tbm@magshop.com.au
Ph: 1300 461 528, 8am - 6pm (EST) Mon to Fri
Mail: Magshop GPO Box 5252, Sydney, NSW, 2001
OwnerDriver has an expanding national circulation, with emphasis on maximum saturation
and readership throughout all Australian states and territories. Our efficient delivery service
incorporating specialist delivery companies and Australia Post ensures that current editions
of OwnerDriver are delivered to respective outlets within days of its publication. If you are
having difficulty obtaining a copy within your area, or alternatively, are receiving requests for
more copies than you are receiving, contact Stuart Jones on 03 9567 4207. No material may be
reproduced in part or in whole without written consent from the copyright holder.
Largest circulation truck publication in Australia
Member: Circulations Audit Board
Circulation 27,689
CIRCULATIONS
AUDIT BOARD
(CAB Audit September 2019)
FOR MOST Australians, and indeed in other parts of
the world, this will surely be the most astonishing
period of their lifetime. According to reports, one
in four Australian workers will lose their job. And
some will not be eligible for JobKeeper.
With retail outlets closing or winding back nonperforming
stores, the opportunity to spend any
redundancy money is fading fast. Anyway, that cash would
be better reserved for a rainy day; and it’s pouring now.
Retail groups such as Myer have temporarily closed up,
but are apparently doing a roaring trade in on-line orders.
Others, like the Target group, enjoyed initial success with
on-line orders, despite most outlets being allowed to keep
their doors open. That looks like it’s coming to an end, with
Target pinpointing stores that are not profitable, especially
in regional areas, and shutting their doors.
It would appear that those businesses that were barely
making ends meet before the Covid-19 pandemic hit are
sinking first and closing their doors forever, or going into
liquidation.
Of the three out of four workers who have managed to
keep their jobs, many are working from home. Will this
be a regular event once the social distancing measures
are completely relaxed and life returns to some sort of
normality?
Truck drivers? Well, their office is in the cab of their truck.
More than that, it’s their home away from home. While the
nature of the job appears to make social distancing easier,
they may still come into contact with other drivers at truck
stops, distribution centres and head offices.
With the growth of on-line shopping, road transport is
holding the country together. And that’s not including
staple items such as groceries and, of course, alcohol.
Problem is, with less cash floating around in the
community, there is bound to be a lull in on-line orders for
some time to come.
ONE OF the last scheduled 2020 events holding out hope of
still being able to take place has been forced to cancel for
the foreseeable future.
The NatRoad conference, which was to be held at
Hamilton Island on August 27 to 29, will now not run.
It was an enviable decision for NatRoad. With the tourism
industry feeling the pinch more than most, even getting to
the island venue would have been a difficult task. And most
small operators and owner-drivers, who would have made
up the majority of attendees, would most likely have other
priorities now.
However, NatRoad is investigating ways to still have the
scheduled presentations available, through podcasts and/or
webinar series.
Bring on 2021 – please!
CIRCULATIONS
AUDIT BOARD
Bauer Trader Media
(A division of Bauer Media Group)
Level 5, 451 St Paul’s Terrace
Fortitude Valley, Qld 4006
Phone: 07 3101 6602 Fax: 07 3101 6619
NEWS & REVIEWS
USED TRUCKS FOR SALE
JOBS
NEW TRUCK SEARCH
visit www.ownerdriver.com.au
6 MAY 2020 ownerdriver.com.au