By KATE BANVILLE
BARBIE may be taking cinemas by storm right now but there’s a different kind of pink phenomenon gracing Outback Australia’s roads and it’s all in the name of breast cancer awareness.
Sprayed in passion pink, “Russell’s Dream”, a Kenworth T909 is the latest colourful addition to the 35 strong fleet of trucks at R&K Bulk Haulage.
The Toowoomba based company, owned by Russell and Karen Strasburg, specialises in the bulk transportation of grains, cottonseed, fertiliser and cattle feed.
Motivated by his love of big trucks and bright colours, Russell Strasburg said he hoped the pink beauty also became a conversation starter for other drivers on the road.
The family has made monthly donations to the Queensland Cancer Council for more than 15 years and in a cruel twist, the Strasburg’s have recently had two of their own diagnosed with the insidious disease.
“I’ve got a very crook driver in the Toowoomba Hospital at the moment with cancer,” Strasburg said.
“He’s been driving with us for 20 years, a good bloke, he’s our son-in-law.
“It’s really aggressive and they’ve got young kids so it’s not good.”
Another eye-catching truck is on its way, this time painted sky blue to raise awareness of prostate cancer.
While the truck has been ordered for some time, its message has become personal too with Russell Strasburg also receiving a cancer diagnosis this year.
“I had prostate cancer just recently,” he said.
“They cut it out of me about five weeks ago and said they got it all which is good.
“It’s a bloody problem that cancer.”
Richard and Sophie Lillburn from Brown and Hurley have been handling the sales and delivery for the Strasburgs for as long as they’ve been in business.
Sophie Lillburn said the couple was known for choosing bright colours to show off the big rigs in all their glory, but ‘Russell’s Dream’ was creating the most chatter.
“Russell obviously has a passion for the industry and wanted to put something out there for his family members that have been affected by cancer and obviously everyone else as well,” Mr Lillburn said.
“It’s a massive statement and we’ve had so many people message us and are blown away by the truck so good on him for taking the leap and putting something out there like that.
“It’s a beautiful rig to drive too.”
