Remembering Bill Richardson this Father's Day
It all started with one man’s passion.
Invercargill transport entrepreneur Bill Richardson loved trucks so much he not only made them his life’s work, but his hobby too. Throughout his lifetime, Bill collected an amazing array of vintage trucks – and after his daughter Joc O’Donnell inherited his collection, she decided to honour her dad’s legacy by sharing his beloved vehicles with the public.
While lockdown has put a pin in our plans to offer a ‘Dads Go Free’ special this Father’s Day, the team at Transport World and The Grille café have come up with a fantastic deal that’s so nice, dad will get to enjoy it twice.
We also caught up with Transport World executive director Joc O’Donnell – Bill’s daughter – to hear about some of her favourite family moments shared with her dad.
Favourite Father’s Day memory you shared with your dad?
On Father’s Day, we’d normally get together as a family for lunch or dinner, and our meals would usually be finished off with dad’s favourites – Belgian biscuits or Afghans.
What was your go-to Father’s Day gift for him?
Chocolate-coated jelly aniseed rings: he loved anything aniseed and licorice. I love it too, I have to admit.
What three traits come to mind when you think of your dad?
People-oriented, firm but fair, and loyal.
What parts of your personality do you think you share with your dad?
It’s quite hard to think about your own personality traits, so I asked my Mum and Scott what they thought, and they had a few suggestions.
Mum said I was VERY determined (perhaps I wasn’t the easiest teenager to raise!), followed my gut instinct, compassionate and quite single-minded: when I decide I’m going to do something, I do it.
Scott said contributing to the community matters a lot to me, as it did to my dad, and that I hate waste: and I do. Whether is a waste of time, or a waste of resources where people are spending a lot of money and achieving nothing, I don’t like waste. That might explain why I like recycling and upcycling, which you can see throughout our collections – I’d rather find another use for something than throw it away.
I am also quite curious, as my father was – both of us liked to learn what is actually possible rather than what just is. I also like to build a rapport and a relationship with people, and work with them where there’s mutual respect for one another.
What’s the most important life lesson he taught you?
There are many – but the standouts have to be:
- People come first
- In life, as in business, it’s about taking opportunities
- Always do what you say you’re going to do