Joining a long list of local trucking dynasties who have thrown their support behind the all-new Museum of Vehicle Evolution (MOVE) is Keatings Freight Lines.
Keatings Freight has been a supporter of many organisations and causes in its 39 years of operation. One of those organisations close to head of the Keating clan, Ken Keating, is Shepparton junior football. The Keating family have supported junior football for 41 years, a staggering effort in anyone’s language.
Keating Freight Lines started in 1982, but Ken was active long before that carting local produce and helping to keep the wheels of Shepparton’s manufacturing businesses turning.
Ken recently took time out from his trucking business to have a look around the new Museum of Vehicle Evolution (MOVE) with sons Mark and Steve.
For Ken it was extra special, because he was amongst the first small group of people who came up with the idea of pushing for a museum space that celebrated the history of transport in the region and its contribution to our modern day prosperity.
“It is fantastic, it will be the greatest thing for the Goulburn Valley, there is no doubt about that,” he said.
Ken and his brothers started up in transport in Bendigo and Swan Hill until Ken left the business and joined Streets ice-cream in Shepparton. After a year he tossed it in and got back on the road carting fruit and all manner of goods.
“How we drove those trucks on those roads in the day I’ll never know,” he said “My first trip to Sydney was 17 hours.”
Ken will promote MOVE on his trucks as they travel around Victoria, but he has no doubt the addition of transport to the museum will be a huge drawcard.
The company has a special truck on display at MOVE along with a miniature version.
Our Goulburn Valley magazine takes this opportunity to acknowledge the recent passing of Ken’s son Chris. Chris played a big role in the operation of Keatings Freight for many years. He succumbed to a long illness on 27th August, 2021.