The setting of this story centres `round a diverse group of individuals—
The background--—
A responsible young married family man aged 27— who had been a member of the Australian Association of Apex Clubs for 9 years— who regularly took part in club service work— a Transport Union Worker`s Strike— the local Boy Scouts troop— an earth moving contractor called Jo— and the youngest Australian Accountant with the E S and A Bank called Grahame. [Another Neil Jones].
And Angelo too—An Italian raw potato chewing character— Being a well known proprietor of Coal Mines —with pastoral interests and A Chrysler Dealership.
Their business ran a fleet of very large, rough dirty coal carrying trucks.
The Pine Forrest at Newnes in the Blue Mountains— 3 Sydney North Shore Apex Clubs-- AND ---The NSW Police! [Their Ford vehicles were serviced at our dealership].
This begins with all of the above characters.
Apex had a permit to cut 2,000 Christmas Trees annually, from the pine forrest—
The Apex Club performed Service Works at the local Boy Scout Hall--- its leader was a coal lorry driver. By return favour, he assisted Apex. His employer loaned us a coal carrying lorry.
The Apex Club had a sharing arrangement with 3 Sydney North Shore Apex Clubs to divide the proceeds of Christmas tree sales project—delivered to Sydney each year.
Our Apex boys camped in the forrest after work on Friday night—cutting a huge pile of trees —followed by lots of refreshments and a camp fire.
A phone call to me at the Ford Dealership mid-morning on Saturday, from "The Potato Man.”—I was very busy—The message—“Come out to our garage—Take the truck for the Apex trees to Sydney, Its all fueled and ready to go. Its gauge does not work—but don`t worry about it. The volunteer union driver is not allowed to drive the truck, this time.
I wondered “Does it have brakes on its many wheels?”
Angelo said "I want the truck back, to-morrow, the strike will then be off.”
The Transport Workers strike prevented the regular driver taking the load — Even in his own time! [ I have NEVER been a union member !! ]
I arrived at the cutting site early in the afternoon, to find a HUGE pile of trees cut and ready to be loaded. Heaps more than 2,000 trees and more than the capacity of the HUGE body on the truck. Cannot leave them there. We began to load the trees —packing them down— then decided to place trees upright round the inside of the filled tipper body. This nearly doubled the height of the illegal load. We were not aware, but found out later that the excessive height of the load had destroyed the phone lines through the forest as we drove out.
Next morning a 6AM Co-Driver Banker, Grahame and I were waved away by our families. Sydney—90 miles away—here we come.
Stinking dirty hot diesel worn out coal truck— terrible seats--with “Strange Brakes!” None or FULL ON.
First Apex Club—“Here are your trees”—We want 600. Too bad, you have twice that number. Second drop-off— “We want 600. Too bad, you have twice that number.
The third drop off—"O`Darling, let the grimy coal truck drivers wash their hands down in the laundry—not inside.” St.Ives north shore—swell real estate—
Grahame wondered where he banked!
Carefully backed up their drive way—missed the roses—“WHIP”: Lifted the lever in the truck " WHAM CRASH" 1,000 plus Christmas trees carefully deposited in the centre of their drive way---so blocking their garage doors. As reality struck, Grahame and I made a quick get-a-way —like bank robbers, using a stinky coal truck as our get away vehicle!.
I guess St-Ives Apex Club had an emergency service job right then, so that their cars could be used on Monday!
Oh what a feeling—Job completed— Money in the Club`s Charity Account. Headed for Lithgow.
Sun going down— Roaring along with an empty truck—Coal dust flying about inside—“-We will make home safely just after dark!"
Dusk approaching—turn on the side lights. HELL--No side lights A strong smell of burning rubber. Don`t worry about the side lights—
Later, becoming dark-- turn on the head lamps. NONE HELL. Stop the truck. No way could a short be located in a circuit of so many lamps, with no test gear and in the dark.
Banker Grahame and I sitting on the grass embankment, thinking about our issue——Along comes Jo driving his utility.
I had business with Jo. Grahame was his banker. Small town stuff.
“I`ll drive slowly— Its only 60 miles--you follow—we will go home slowly in the dark!” “Ill be your light!" Said Jo.
We did. That was until we reached the bottom of the very steep decent into the Lithgow valley. The police had all of their Fords parked across the road!! A major road block.
Jo and we had to stop!
The local traffic Police patrolman could not believe his eyes, when we alighted from the truck.
We serviced his vehicles—he banked with Grahame—and he went to Church with Jo! Oh thank goodness for small town connections!
I was BOOKED, of course. My throw away of—“Well the truck is almost home—we will see Angelo now—he can get it in the morning!”
This was met with—“Well you have driven it this far so take it the rest of the way to its garage!”
There was Angelo waiting—having his usual chew—he knew all about the event—however did he know? No `phones in those days.
And by the way—“Don`t worry about being booked .” ‘Its fixed!!” He said.
Well, it was fixed—However Grahame and I were fined heavily at Apex for driving a coal lorry in the dark for 60 plus miles - with no lights—an event not likely to happen again.
We saw only a handful of cars during our drive—but the Police at Lithgow were advised in advance of our escapade.
This was the last time that permission was granted to Apex for this very profitable combined service job! I wonder why?
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