Hall of Fame Inductee 2012
Neil Clarke
- OBE, QSO, KSS, JP
Born in 1927 in Greymouth, Neil spent the first 7 years of his working career as an administrator for Tasman Empire Airways, followed by 1 year as a sales rep for Reliance Rubber and Tyre Co.
It was in 1955 when Neil’s foray into the transport industry commenced with him joining Joe Brenan, the owner of McCarten Bros Limited Onehunga.
1 year later, in 1956, Neil was appointed director and shareholder to Brenan & Co Limited Paeroa, which was also owned in third generation by Joe Brenan, who was foundation shareholder and director of Freightways Ltd. Brenan & Co operated 16 trucks and held the franchise for International Harvester Ltd, and was an agency and distribution contractor for Atlantic/Mobil Oil Co Ltd.
Subsequently, through many takeovers and amalgamations, under the new name Provincial Transport Group Ltd, they built up to a fleet of over 100 and held depots in Auckland, Hamilton, Rotorua, Te Aroha, Waihi, with Head Office situated in Paeroa.
In addition to the line haul, the company was involved in livestock cartage, bulk spreading, rural delivery, school bus services and road contracting.
In 1989, Neil retried from Provincial Transport Ltd.
Many notable awards have been bestowed upon Neil during his career and post retirement, some of which include an OBE awarded in 1984 for his contribution to road transport and banking, a commemorative medal awarded for community service in 1990, the KSS Apapal knighthood awarded in 2000 for contribution to the Catholic Church and the community.