<<Rewind 2010: Noeline Otto - One hell of a Lady!

In-depth

13 July

Prologue: Back in 2009 it was drawing near to the end of my tenure with Truckin’ Life. As well as writing for the publication I was also doing advertising sales.

I’d come up with an idea that I put to Freightliner, in that they sponsor a competition throughout the year whereby a monthly winner would win a ‘Freightliner Country’ jacket and the overall winner would get an all-expenses paid trip to the Tamworth Country Music Festival the following January.

That trip was won by one Noeline Otto. Rita and I were enthusiastic attendees of Tamworth in those days so when there I caught up with Noeline to have a chat. Turned out the lady was one of the most interesting, positive and engaging people I’d ever met. I don’t think I’ve come across such a character since.

Noeline had led a life of trials and tribulations – including in the trucking arena. This is Noeline ‘Tulloch’ Otto’s story.

. . . . . .

1. A truck is where this girls heart is..jpg

One of the great things about writing for Truckin’Life is the people you meet. I knew that the winner of the Freightliner Country ‘Trip to Tamworth’ competition was someone named Noeline and offered, on behalf of Freightliner to catch up with her and take a pic for this publication and also Driveline magazine. I had no idea that I was to be caught up in the whirlwind of this fascinating 65 year old, or how interesting her life story would be.

Noeline Otto was born on February 28, 1945 at Inglewood (V). With her army father and her mother divorcing when she was young, she and her brother went to live with their grandparents at Tarmagulla, just outside Bendigo. Sometime later her mother remarried and the family reunited at Shepparton, later moving to Toowoomba.

**“I've been thrown out of better joints than this!” (Note the name of the pub)**

Noeline’s relationship with her step-father was fractious to say the least. “I was a natural at sport,” she says. “I was his daughter when I was winning medals and coming first. When I was playing for Australia in softball he’d go to the pub and crow about it. Life wasn’t so rosy behind closed doors though.”

Consequently Noeline spent a lot of time sleeping on the streets and in the parks of Toowoomba. Growing up rough taught her to become self-sufficient at an early age. “I wouldn’t let anyone put anything over on me.”

Noeline believes it made her a better person. She always swore that if she had kids they would always be loved and have a roof over their heads.

Nicknamed ‘Tulloch’ by racing commentator, Bob Marney due to her champion status as a bike rider, Noeline went to a party one night where she met Graeme Otto. “Hey Tulloch, you playing softball tomorrow? I’ll pick you up.”

They became mates and then, one day Graeme said, ‘Come to Victoria with me.”

**With Noeline’s daughter, Trina (L), Casey Chambers reckons Noeline’s a hoot**

Not a penny to their names they survived by syphoning petrol and nicking bread and milk from peoples doorsteps. Staying at Grandma’s for a period they moved to Maryborough where Graeme took on a driving job with Leech Transport.

Ending up back in Toowoomba and driving for ‘The Colonel’ out of Ipswich, Graeme decided, with the backing of a mate to buy his own truck – a KW. Called ‘Wild Child’ after number 3 son, this was soon followed up with a UD, named ‘Nobody’s Child’ after son number 4. Then came a Road Boss which didn’t last too long until it was wiped off. Then followed another three Kenworth’s.

At their peak the Otto’s had 8 trucks - considered a fleet in those days. (Circa 1968.) They carted grain from the Darling Downs to Sydney and general to the Northern Territory. Also fruit and veg to the Sydney markets which Noeline loved. “The old fellas would be waiting to unload the trucks. They’d just need enough cash to get across the road to the early-opener. I loved the markets and the type of people who worked there – fun-loving, good natured – a lot like the truckies.”

Noeline would usually drive two-up with Graeme unless one of their drivers was off. This, until the premature arrival of child number 5, Trina who kept Noeline off the road.

The marriage ended in 1976 when the police rang Noeline about having to move one of the trucks from outside a residence in Longreach where it had been for days. Noeline knew the truck was Graeme’s and also knew the woman who lived at the address. “Bloody Casanova truckies!” smiled Noeline (whose eyes misted up when she related this part of her life).

One of their drivers, Rolly Oliver and his partner, Kerri were packing up and heading North and suggested that Noeline come with them. So she sold her beloved Chevrolet Impala for a decked out panelvan, packed up the 5 kids and moved to Ingham.

Up North she cut timber up in the hills at Mt. Fox, worked the mines, cooked, worked bars and bottle shops and did security – all the while looking after her family and putting the five kids through college.

With good mate, Bev – who she got to know during a night together in Toowoomba’s cells, a result of a fight between them – Noeline spent time as a roustabout at Charlie Goodwin’s property at Charleville. “Bev was amazing on a horse. She could literally make it dance which didn’t please Charlie. ‘Ya s’posed to be after the cattle, not showin off!’ he’d yell’.”

Charleville ended when a riot broke out at the Cattle Camp Pub and Noeline and Bev were found by the police in the middle of the pack. “They escorted us to the Westlander the next day and it was back to Toowoomba.”

Thirty years after hanging up her bike, Noeline was talked into giving it another go. And go she did, winning medals at The Masters Games and riding for Australia in the World Masters two years ago. Only imminent knee replacement surgery has slowed her down momentarily.

She’s had other relationships in her life but none that stood up to comparison with ‘Otto’. Mind you she did have a message for ‘Irish’. “19 more kisses, Irish and you never know?’

This is a lady who has stood up to the trials and tribulations of life, taken them head on and beaten them to a pulp. Many would be proud to call Otto a friend – I certainly am. This is a lady who wears her heart on her sleeve (and in gold on a front tooth).

“Let the readers know that I’ve still got my licence,” said Noeline. “The knee won’t let me load and unload but I’m still a bloody good driver! I really fancy driving a Freightliner Argossy.”

Hope someone makes you an offer Noeline. Not only will they get a great driver they’ll get one hell of a story too!