The trucking industry is this week mourning the loss of Gavin Murphy, the former managing director of Murphy Transport Solutions and former president of the Victorian Transport Association.



The Chair of the Australian Trucking Association, Noelene Watson, said Mr Murphy had been one of the industry’s stalwarts.



“Murphy Transport Solutions opened its doors in 1858 as E Murphy and Sons, and used cart horses to transport gravel for roads around Melbourne. It is now one of Australia’s largest privately-owned road transport companies, and Gavin had a huge role in its continued success,” Mrs Watson said.



“Gavin was a director of the VTA for many years, and its president for four years in the 1990s. He was made a life member of the VTA in 2008.



“I remember Gavin as a colourful character who was always generous with his time. In the mid-1990s, when I had just started running a trucking business, I knew that I could always phone Gavin and receive honest sound advice about the transport industry.



“On behalf of the Australian Trucking Association, I extend my condolences to Gavin’s wife Jane, and his children Angela and Cameron. Our thoughts are with them at this sad time,” Mrs Watson said.



The funeral service for Gavin Murphy will be held on Thursday 17 December at 1:30pm at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Kew, Victoria.