Lismore truckie: Tributes for Wayne Kelly who died after crash on Gore Highway
A long time northern NSW truck driver’s family have remembered him as a “classic Aussie bloke” and “hilarious person” after his sudden death on a Queensland highway.
Northern District Times
Don't miss out on the headlines from Northern District Times. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A long time northern NSW truck driver’s family have remembered him as a “classic Aussie bloke” after his sudden death on a Queensland highway.
It had been a typical day on the road for Wayne Kelly, who was making a short run outside of Brookstead, west of Toowoomba.
He was travelling along the Gore Highway when he collided with another truck travelling down the same road.
Mr Kelly died at the scene while the other driver managed to walk away.
Daughter Elise Kelly described her father as a “classic Aussie bloke” who had grown up in Lismore and lived there his entire life.
“He was a hilarious person,” she said.
“His friends all have pretty funny and crazy stories about him. He was just one of those people, like everyone who knew him thought he was hilarious.
“He was just a very true blue bloke and a XXXX bitter drinker all the way. I miss him a lot.”
Ms Kelly said the shock of his unexpected death had hit the family hard.
“It’s been a struggle, it’s all a bit of a mess at the moment,” she said.
“Me and my brother are in our mid-20s and we’ve never prepared for this.
“A portion of the funeral is covered by dad’s boss because it was technically a workplace incident, but the cost of the funeral is not completely covered.
“It’s been really difficult for us with the clearing of his stuff, because there’s so much to clear out. And he was renting as well, so we’re still having to pay his rent while we clear it out.”
A GoFundMe has been set up to help ease the financial costs, with $2405 of the $7000 goal reached.
Ms Kelly expressed her gratitude to those who have donated.
“I’m so appreciative of everyone. Thank you,” she said.
80-plus homes for seniors floated in leagues club’s $40m plans
More than 80 homes for seniors are slated to transform a suburb in Sydney’s northwest where a leagues club has unveiled the next stage of its sprawling project. See the plans here.
Read more
‘Strength of character’: Family, colleagues pay tribute to hero firey
A hero firefighter who was the first arriving station officer at the fatal Rozelle explosion and building collapse, and an NBL referee, has been remembered for his strength of character.
Read more