[1935 – 2019]
The Bribie Islander magazine’s team was deeply saddened to hear of George’s passing on the 11th January. George Allan Goold was well known to many on Bribie Island as the proprietor of Bribie Island Taxis. George was born in 1935, in Ulverstone Tasmania and his passion for the transport industry started at a very young age. According to the “National Road Transport Hall of Fame” website, George had been inducted as a National Road Transport Hall of Fame pioneer.
He had a licence to drive from the age of fifteen and his first job as a truck driver was at Bronte Park, working for the Hydro Electricity Commission. He then worked in NSW for two seasons, lumping and carrying wheat until 1953 when he went to Melbourne and started driving car carriers interstate Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide (aged 19 years). He then drove for Harvey and Bilson until he became an owner/driver at the age of 22 carting for Cousins Transport, East Coast Transport and later for Transcontinental Transport and Alan Hancock. George was married at 27 to Sally and went to live in Albury, NSW where he drove fuel tankers for H R Hane.
The Goolds then moved to Sydney where George drove for Ansett Pioneer on Express and Tours. He later transferred to Brisbane and drove on Express for a number of years where he was elected as a full-time official with the Transport Workers Union. He was there for eight years after which he bought a taxi in Brisbane which he drove for a number of years before buying a taxi on Bribie Island.
From those humble beginnings, George and his wife Sally grew the fleet of taxis, limousines and developed a purpose-built headquarters becoming one of the most successful businesses on the island. George never lost his passion for heavy transport and spent the past few years restoring, back to its original condition, a 1959, 630 Diamond T. The unit is immaculately restored and was George’s pride and joy, attracting plenty of attention at truck shows and events around the country.
Outside business, George was also a keen snooker and billiards player and involved himself with the Bribie Island Snooker Club. In 2009 George was elected Patron of The Queensland Billiards and Snooker Association. George had been involved with many clubs over the years, but Bribie Island Snooker Club was where he put his heart and soul. George leaves behind Sally and children Cameron and Jedda. We would like to convey our deepest sympathies to Sally as well as all family members and friends at this time.