Milk drivers head for the hills

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 11, Issue 495, 20 July 1993, Page 5

Milk drivers head for the hills

By

Jenelle

Frewen

There will be no crying over spilled milk in the Palmerston North area following a two-day cross-country driving course attended by tanker drivers from Tui's, last week. Eighteen drivers and two supervisors from Tui's Pahiatua and Longburn plants visited Waiouru Army Camp's School of Transport and Catering to participate in some off-road driving exercises. The course was recreational as well as educational - a means by which the Tui company could thank their drivers for the hard work they have put in over the past year, Tui's Assistant Transport Manager, Mr. Lee Cook said. The work schedule for

a milk tanker driver generally involves working for three nine-hour days followed by three ninehour nights, followed by three days off. At the moment many of the drivers are on holidays, nevertheless they were still very keen to come to Waiouru. The Army was able to provide their general service, 4-tonne, 4-wheel-drive trucks for the tanker drivers, some of whom found the 'Unimogs' pro-

vided quite a different driving experience to the tankers they were used to. Before attempting any of the Waiouru terrain the drivers were given introductory instruction in cross-country driving to ensure they all had the skills required. From there it was an assault on any hills which stood in the driver's way. Under careful guidance from the School of Transports' instructors the drivers were , taken through various (j drills including steep ascents and descents and hill

failure starts. Tui's own Transport Training Supervisor, Ralph Keall also took the opportunity to give the Unimogs a go and was

impressed by the School of Transport's specially designed course, along with the Army's hospitality, describing them both as "excellerit".