The Shepparton community is mourning the passing of Sam Sali, a prominent figure in the transport industry and a dedicated community leader. He peacefully departed at the age of 86 on January 7 in Bendigo Hospital, surrounded by family, just eight days short of his 87th birthday.
A founding member and director of the National Transport Federation, which later merged with the Long Distance Road Transport Association in 1994 to form NatRoad, Mr Sali left a profound mark in the industry.
His dedication to service extended through his long-standing membership in the Shepparton Rotary Club, where his contributions earned him the esteemed title of Paul Harris Fellow. Additionally, he held the honour of being a life member of the Shepparton Albanian Society.
Born to Albanian immigrants who settled in Shepparton in 1937, Mr Sali pursued a career path that began with completing a motor mechanic apprenticeship. Together with his late brother Alan, he established the trucking company S Sali & Sons in 1956.
Initially driving trucks for many years, Mr Sali transitioned to the management sphere in the 70s, eventually dedicating his efforts to industry advocacy.
Mr Sali was a pivotal figure in the reshaping of the Long Distance Drivers Award and was instrumental in introducing enterprise bargaining within the sector.
A funeral to commemorate Mr Sali’s life and achievements took place at MOVE Museum on Friday, January 12. Notably, he played a crucial role in establishing the local transport museum, reflecting his passion for preserving the industry’s heritage.
