Vale Ed Cameron.

Ed Cameron, the man who imported the First Kenworth Trucks to Australia passed away yesterday (15/7/2016).
truly the end of an era.. R.I.P.

Never met the man personally, but had read quite a bit about him. Truly a remarkable and well respected man.

.
.....YEP....
The transport industry has lost a truly great man.
I worked for him at the Bachell Ave , Lidcombe depot .....( Sydney)
A thorough gentleman and good all round bloke.........R.I.P............
.....................Billy......................

There are two threads running in HCVC facebook. I did revive and repost
two garish orange photos posted there, so have them here too. Both were of Cameron trucks, not of the man.
Both were from John Westendorp. I guess early 1970s.

Roderick

Dave_64 wrote: Never met the man personally, but had read quite a bit about him. Truly a remarkable and well respected man.

Yep what Dave said he came across in reading about him he would be a interesting fella to have a chat with

Would like to see some info posted about a man that changed the face of Aussie trucking forever. I really don't think Ed Cameron has been given the recognition he deserves as he was the man that made it happen - got wheels turning like they should have - he was not content with slow old pommie lorries he got some horsepower going and got freight (actually fruit) to markets in real time, the transport industry is a better place because he taught us all that there is no substitute for horsepower and timely deliveries of freight.
Best regards
Tacka

Yes Tacka
U B right

Ed n his associates transformed the Australian trucking industry from the old pommy slow lorries n dragged the industry into the next century with reliable, fast and driver friendly diesel powered trucks

cya

reliable & driver friendly .... must be talking about Volvo who started in Aus in 1967, a time when anything and everything new was getting a try. History shows that V & K have both won out over the rest in Aus. Getting (and keeping) the corporate stars aligned has been as important a part of that story as the quality of the trucks, and I guess it was Ed that laid the right foundations.

...It's probably not very well known that Ed Cameron and Laurie O'Neil (of Peterbilt Australia fame) were working together, and united in selling Kenworth trucks for that very short period in mid 1966 to late 1967. O'Neil had relinquished his Peterbilt franchise, and Ed had handed control of his Australian Kenworth operation over to Paccar, paving the way for full scale local production and control of sales and strategic aims for the parent company.

...Both men were significantly "short changed" in the deal.... Cameron having stayed on as Managing Director acquiesced to the parent firm and could not make too many waves as he handed over the reigns. O'Neil on the other hand was livid with his treatment, taking legal action having lost TWO franchises in very short order...His challenge was successful, although it was a very unsatisfactory outcome for his business when the dust had finally settled.

...Both men were giants in their pursuits, and of equal note, were very modest about their achievements. At 90 years of age, Laurie O'Neil still enjoys good health and to this day has a love and affection for the Peterbilt trucks....just don't mention the word "Paccar". These men were instrumental in Kenworth becoming the market leader of heavy trucks in Australia today and the ongoing success of that parent firm.