Community
14 December, 2024
Trucking for 50 years
ONE of the most beloved residents of Cairns Ian Allen – better known for being the Cairns Show president – is celebrating 50 years of working with Cairns Regional Council as an owner-driver.
At 77, he shows no signs of slowing down. His passion for the Cairns community keeps him eager to go to work every day and make the city better for all.
Mr Allen became the youngest owner-driver in council in 1973 at 26-years-old. Since then he has seen dozens of mayors and local governments and projects executed around Cairns. He is the only owner-driver now working for the council.
“I love what I do, I believe the day you don’t like your job is the day you should stop and that’s what I’ve told the bosses –‘I’ll let you know when I’m ready’,” Mr Allen said.
“Back in the 70s I used to drive my father’s front-end loader before I became an owner-driver for about four years, working up in the quarries at Henley’s Hill loading trucks.
“I told my father I wanted to have my own truck, so I bought one and started working as an owner-driver.
“At that time, I was the youngest truck driver at (the) council. I decided to buy a tandem truck and (the) council said they couldn’t guarantee any work for me, but the risk paid off and I’ve been there ever since.
“The main thing that gives me joy in this work is working with my colleagues.”
For decades Mr Allen has been a key part of upgrading the city’s infrastructure and keeping the streets clean and he wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I started out transporting gravel and cleaning out drains. We also carted out all the materials for the construction of Centenary Lakes. Now I deliver water to work sites,” he said.
“I just don’t want to sit idle. I’ve seen a lot of work colleagues retire and within a couple of years, they’ve passed on. I’m not there yet.”
Cairns Mayor Amy Eden celebrated Mr Allen’s achievement and thanked him for 50 years of service.
“Clocking up 50 years of service at (the) council is an extraordinary achievement that should be celebrated,” she said.
“As a water truck driver who has been behind the wheel for all five decades of his employment with (the) council, Ian is the last of our owner-drivers.
“The crews always know when Ian’s on the job, his truck is always immaculately clean, the stainless-steel accessories and wheels polished and gleaming – it’s his trademark.
“He’s an integral cog in the building of our region, delivering water to sites so the work can go on.
“One thing that is certain, Ian loves Cairns. His commitment to the city and the community is, not only evident through a half-century of service to (the) council, but also in his long association with the Cairns Show.”
Mr Allen said he was proud to be a part of (the) council.
“It’s an honour, people come and go but I’m proud to say that I’ll be 78 in one weeks’ time and still working with (the) council,” he said.
“I must give credit to my wife because she’s part of the reason why my truck is always clean, she’s always there lending a hand and she’s happy to see me work.”
