Mt Gambier residents line streets for community giant who gave back to the city by the truckload
Truckers today staged a “last convoy” for Mt Gambier trucking industry heavyweight Ray Scott, who died this week.
SA News
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The Mt Gambier community today lined the streets of the city in tribute to a pillar of the city, trucking industry giant Ray Scott.
Mr Scott died, aged 70, on Monday after a long battle with cancer. He was extremely popular in the city because of his many philanthropic efforts and community work.
A death notice in The Advertiser, said Mr Scott was“hammer down, heaven bound”, in reference to the trucker slang for pushing the vehicle’s accelerator to the floor.
In a poignant “last convoy” truckers travelled along Princes Highway from the Scott household into the city, before arriving at Carinya Gardens Cemetery for a live streamed funeral.
Ray Scott was the son of Allan Scott, who died in 2008, aged 85, after a career in the industry which made him one of SA’s most prominent business names. His estate was valued at $600 million when he died.
In a written statement, the family paid tribute to Ray, who headed Ray Scott Transport following his father’s death.
“Ray was a hard working man. He was generous, kind, funny, and always genuine. He will be truly missed by family and friends,’’ it stated.
“After a long battle with cancer he died peacefully with his family by his side.
“We thank everyone for their thoughts and kind wishes.”
Allan Scott’s children Zena and Raymond took over the business after his death, along with associate and lawyer Tony Johnson and Scott Group of Companies CEO Bruce Grubb.
Ray was inducted to the National Road Transport Hall of Fame in 2013, having been involved in the industry since he could walk, his father having established Scott’s Transport a year after his son’s birth.
Zena and Raymond were the most involved of the family of Allan Scott’s Group of Companies, the cornerstone of which were NSW-based bulk solids and hazardous chemicals transport firm the Scott Corporation and Mt Gambier-based K and S Corporation.
Ray took a senior role in the industry at the age of 22, when Scott’s won a large fuel oil hauling contract and he was sent to the Northern Territory to run the operation.
But his father was also quoted having said: “My son Ray. He was the best driver I had”.
Ray was also a passionate sprint car driver and supporter of the sport, fixed wing/helicopter pilot and frequent traveller to the United States.
Before the final convoy yesterday, a celebration of Ray’s life was held at the family home, with donations to his favourite charity the Royal Flying Doctor Service pledged in lieu of flowers.
Ray is survived by wife Jill, children and children in law Ashley and Tammie, Prue and Bill, Libby and Ben and grandchildren Lachie, Alex, Parker, Ellie, Harrison, Sam and Stella.
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