Matt Manning - Riding on Dieseline Dreams

In-depth

28 Aug

When Matt Manning decided that Truckin with Kermie was worth a look (thanks for that, Matt), he sent in a couple of happy-snaps of his drive – a Kenworth T609 day cab that he spends his days in, working for MME (Mallee Earthmoving and Excavations) from Robinvale, Victoria.

‘Happy Snaps’ is a massive understatement as Matts photos are works of art, capturing not only his work vehicle but telling a great story of the Australian landscape in his part of the world around Mildura and Ouyen

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Those photos had to lead to a conversation, and as is always the case, there is much more to Matt than just sitting behind the wheel.

From Casino, Matt has worked for Craig Arthur, hauling a Tautliner on the interstate run and working up at Broken Hill on the mines

“We’ve moved around a lot. It’s all a bit of growing up. Now we’re settled in Mildura and we love it here. With younger children I decided that it might be best to find a job that didn’t take me away from home as often as highway work – although I do get to stretch the legs for a long run every now and then - enough to keep me interested anyway.

“I’m a proper local these days. I don’t even have a bunk anymore so there’s no sneaking off for a 10 minute power nap anywhere.”

Matt’s happy working for MME. “They treat me well and look after their equipment – and they’re the two most important items in a Truckies Manifest as far as I’m concerned.”

But – like all of us – there is more to Matt than just being a bloke who sits behind a wheel day in, day out, a perception too many people in the world outside the trucking industry seem to have.

“I like my music,” he says. “Played up at the Gympie Muster last year. I also do a bit of solo stuff around town.”

‘Playing’ at the Muster as it turns out, was with half of Slim Dusty’s old band – Rod Coe on bass, Dougie Gallagher on drums and Michelle Rose on pedal steel, plus Glen Albrecht on guitar.

“I was so very honoured to be playing with these guys, being a huge Slim fan. I was up there as part of the ‘Back to the Bush’ shows, organised by Dianne Lindsay and Peter Simpson.”

Given the pedigree of these musicians, it says a lot about Matt’s musical ability as well. On further digging it turns out that in his younger days Matt toured the talent quest circuit with Duncan and Andy Toombs, Peta Evans Taylor and The McClymonts.

Anyone vaguely familiar with Australian country music will know these names. Duncan Toombs would be regarded as one of the industry’s finest guitarists and music producers. It was Duncan who rang Matt one day – no doubt knowing what his answer would be – asking if he happened to know of a truck driver who had a young son and would appear in a video clip he was producing of the Slim Dusty song, ‘Dieseline Dreams’.

“Look no further!” replied Matt.

So folks, in Matt Manning we have an accomplished musician, a great photographer whose pictures tell a story that Albert Namatjira would have been proud to have painted, as well as a budding actor – although we have to admit that Matt’s son, Bailey probably stole the show there.

……Oh, and he’s also a proud Truckie.

Scroll down for more of Matt’s magic photos and have a look at the Video clip of Dieseline Dreams.