WITH a career spanning more than 50 years in the trucking industry, Leeton shire resident Danny Jones has been inducted into the National Road Transport Wall of Fame.
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Mr Jones travelled to Alice Springs with his wife Elvie late last month to receive the honour in recognition of his lifetime service and contribution to the Australian road transport industry.
He started driving in a J6 Bedford and was a natural with mechanics.
Mr Jones is a self-taught detailer and would re-adjust braking systems on both trailers and prime movers to ensure maximum safety.
Highlights of his career included working with Quelch and Preston's Transport.
Freight varied on many of his long journeys, but Mr Jones said it was a career he had always been passionate about.
"I loved driving trucks and everything to do with them," he said.
"Throughout all of my years driving I was always thankful for the support of my wife Elvie and daughter Kerry.
"They were the ones that were at home while I was out driving the truck.
"I was pretty shocked when we heard the nomination had been accepted for the wall of fame."
Mr Jones was nominated by his wife for the honour, making him the second Leeton resident in as many years to join the coveted list, after Jack Patten was recognised in 2013.
Mr Jones' favourite truck continues to be a Mack to this day, but he said there had been many changes in the industry during his time and since his retirement in 2009.
"I really do miss it since I've retired," he said.
"You make a lot of good friends along the way and you get to see a lot of Australia."
Mr Jones thanked all of his former employers for their part in his career.