Often taken for granted nowadays, cheap, reliable transport was gifted to lower Macleay Valley residents by Hilton Everson and the bus fleet he built to service his community.
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From 1936 to 1977, Mr Everson built a fleet of buses, often with his bare hands, which became known to the Macleay people as Mercury Roadlines.
Mr Everson’s engineering finesse, business wit and innovative nature changed the lives of many and recently earned him a place in the National Road Transport Museum’s Hall of Fame.
Members of Mr Everson’s family shared his story with the Argus.
Born in the Macleay on January 21,1916 Hilton Everson was the son of Charles and Florence Everson.
After his mother died when he was just five years old, Hilton was adopted into the family of Magnus and Ollie Everson. Hilton not only gained the love of two dedicated parents but he was also introduced to Magnus’ old farm shed – the birthplace of Hilton’s mechanical and engineering skills. It was from here that Hilton’s entrepreneurial wings took flight.
His orange and cream buses, though long out of service now, will be remembered for their contribution to the growth and expansion of the Macleay Valley.
Hilton purchased an old Buick motor car and with the help of his cousin Eric Rowe, the Buick was reborn.
Hilton’s Buick serviced people on the lower Macleay Valley. He often carried 24 people in and on top of the vehicle and found that by leaving the door open and placing his right foot on the running board he could squeeze one more passenger in. His bus ran from Gladstone to Kempsey.
On December 15 1937 he purchased another bus – a twenty-one seater Ford V8, built by the Wood Bros of Bankstown.
Hilton’s bus and freight journeyed all across the lower Macleay Valley, servicing roads of dust or squelching mud.
The passengers often helped to push the bus out of difficulty and often farmers with their tractors came to aid.
Buses were always loaded to capacity as they transported locals to picnics, dances, picture shows and carried freight and mail. Hilton’s orange and cream buses were a welcome sight to the people of the lower Macleay.
As times changed, Hilton converted his buses into school buses.
Amidst his engineering innovations, business building and plain hard work, Hilton married Loma in 1945. They had four children who they named Judy, Ken, Pauline and Brian.
On 15 May 1977, Hilton was killed in a boating accident at Port Macquarie. The bus company continued until 1996 when Hilton’s son Brian sold it to Cavanagh’s.
Hilton left an indelible mark on the Macleay and his orange and cream buses, though long out of service now, will be remembered for their contribution to the growth and expansion of the Macleay Valley.
