General News
20 January, 2022
Tight-knit industry rallies for Michelle
THE South West trucking community has rallied around a young truck driver who sustained serious injuries in a road accident last week, with tens of thousands being raised to support her through the life-changing event.
THE South West trucking community has rallied around a young truck driver who sustained serious injuries in a road accident last week, with tens of thousands being raised to support her through the life-changing event.
Warrnambool’s Michelle Pillar was involved in a truck accident near Colac which left her trapped for around 12 hours as emergency services worked to free her. She has since had both legs amputatedabove the knee and has been placed into an induced coma.
Wanting to do anything they could to help, friends of Michelle’s reached out to Mortlake Roadhouse owner Dion Symonds, who has experience with fundraising efforts, to help out.
Despite not being one to underestimate the lengths members of the trucking industry will go to support each other, Mr Symonds said he was taken aback by how quickly everyone rallied to the cause.
“It went out of control, just even on the first night,” he said.
A range of fundraisers were quickly organised, with various platforms and donated goods for auction being established with all proceeds going to Michelle.
A 1:50 scale model drake c509 was donated for auction by David Hall from Sydney.
Coca-Cola Australia jumped on board with the donation of 10 cases of products including water, Lift, Coca-Cola and Monster Energy to be auctioned.
Koroit-based truckie Scott Wilson donated a B-Double load of Barley Straw (58 bales) to auction, delivery included.
Matt Palmer donated a fire pit which was also auctioned.
An anonymous lady also donated a knitted quilt to the Roadhouse, which has been left for truckies and anyone in the industry to sign with messages of support as they pass through Mortlake.
Mr Symonds also helped to set up a donation bucket at the Roadhouse, adorning messages of support, and a ‘Fight Michelle’ bank account.
“Between the account and the bucket, there was just under $35,000,” he said.
“It’s a really tight knit industry, it’s insane. It’s going Australia-wide, which is cool to see.
“We went about it saying we would be rapt if we could raise about $10,000 within a few weeks.
“I’ve seen some grown men cry in the last few days, I’ve shed some tears myself. It’s beenfull-on. Michelle is obviously a very popular woman, and every second person who comes in seems to know her in some way, shape or form.”
In addition, a fundraiser was set up though online fundraising platform GoFundMe with a $1000 goal. At the time of writing, it had eclipsed $23,000.
For more information visit the Mortlake Roadhouse Facebook page.
To donate in support of Michelle please visit the Mortlake Roadhouse at 59 Dunlop Street, Mortlake, or donate directly to:
Account name: Fight Michelle
BSB: 013900
Account number: 155277557.