History

The Newcastle and Hunter Region Road Transport Awareness Day Group (NHRRTAG) was formed back in 1994.

The group was formed by a small collection of individuals from within the local industry under direction from the Road Transport Forum (now known as the Australian Trucking Association) to seek to promote greater awareness and knowledge about the road transport industry and its position within the community.

The First Road Transport Awareness Day activity was held in Civic Park Newcastle with a small number of trucks on display.

The following years saw the day link with the Newcastle Mattara Parade and the initial small group grew to a larger convoy with a display following after the parade.

The next years saw the NHRRTAG hold a special purpose day at and around the Horseshoe Beach area at the Newcastle Foreshore following a parade that began at Sandgate. This day was driven with the goal of promoting awareness of the road transport industry and creating greater understanding of its place and purpose in the community at the same time as promoting safety.

As the years progressed, so did support of and participation in the Awareness Day. More and more members of the transport industry began to participate in the day and became involved with all aspects of the event.

Given the annual rate of growth and size occupied by the day, the event was relocated to its current position at Newcastle Foreshore Park. This larger area has allowed for a greater number and diversified selection of the industry to have a physical presence on the day as well as allow the community to appreciate and understand the scope of the industry and also participate in the various events and demonstrations which occur throughout the day.

Throughout this period the continuing success of the day has allowed the financial benefit to the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service to also steadily increase.

In February 2006, effort and contribution marked a very proud milestone for the Awareness Day group – the group which represents more than 200 transport operators and industry participants within the region – by being recognised as a Logo Rights sponsor on the helicopter following its contribution of $100,000 from the days events.