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MARCH NEWSLETTER

It’s Wednesday, 8am, March 2040 In the wood-paneled executive boardroom of Two Men And A Truck a painting of the business’ founder takes pride of place on the wall, a satin black ribbon wraps around it. Alongside it a portrait of the founder’s beloved wife, Cheryl, is seeming to look across at him. On the mantelpiece is a large Chinese urn. The little note stuck to it seems horribly out of place and reads: “Not To Be Used As An Ashtray” Next to it a much smaller vase has a dusty plastic tulip and a Dutch flag poking out of its centre.

On the shelf behind a row of dusty never opened procedure manuals stands a big, round, glass jam jar with what looks like the founder’s brain, preserved in formalin. (It didn’t need much pickling).

“Why does Grand-dad look so old, strict and severe?”

“People seemed so prim and proper in those days. Is it true that the business started with the horse and cart?”

“He must have been a really hard person to work for and look - it’s a rather ugly painting isn’t it”

Anyone who’s ever stared at great art knows that there is a soul behind the eyes of every masterpiece.

Behind this masterpiece, I’m watching. My eyes are glued to what is happening in the business. Will my vision be complete? Will they carefully preserve my years of hard work?





Why is it so quiet in the office? There’s no one answering the phone! In fact, there is no phone and there’s no one taking bookings either! The office is virtually empty!

Silly me - it’s 2040. There are no more telephones and people don’t take the bookings any more. The computer takes the calls, records the booking and records it all straight on the system. Any complaints are automatically sent directly to digital trashcan.

Using the latest technology available, the younger members of the team have been able to download all of my huge intellectual brain mass to the computer. And despite the fact that it fits onto something smaller than a fingernail, it has increased the power output so much that the system is at breaking point.

Ideas and inspiration are blurting out at incredible speeds. The newsletters continue to roll off the digital production line as the computer burps its way through the mountain of data.

Busy at work are my gorgeous twin grand-daughters. They’re discussing the operations. Our International Manager - Emma - is connecting up from our London office to join the conversation. Not through Skype or video conferencing but through telepathic communication!

Business survival in these competitive, digital times is about survival of the fittest. We want to ensure that our family can survive into another generation and that the business can support a growing family. I mean, let’s face it - these are pretty challenging times. You thought the GFC was bad ... ?!

As you can see from the figures, this year we made a paltry profit of $ 24 million. This is a 20% decrease compared to last year.

The main reason for that is that the drivers’ hourly wage is now 680.00 per hour. On top of that, we have to pay 40% GST, 20% workers comp and 30% holiday loading.

Carbon tax is now $500 per tone!

The reality is, that it is now costing us nearly $1000 per hour just to pay the driver. To make a profit we will have to increase our current price structure for Two Men And A Truck to $3,900.00 per hour. This will cost the average customers $25,00.00 to move a small standard home.

Also to cut costs, we have had to reduce our wages to only $7 million a year each.

The Meeting carries on and begins to become a bit heated...

From behind the paining I can see it all. I am very proud my Grand daughters are taking over. They are the best but they sure are a couple of fiery women!

To run a family business you need to have a clear long-term vision. You need to give each member a sense of where you are headed as a family and you have to be clear on each others’ path to the top. This has got to be written down and shared with everyone in the team with clear and frank communication.

At the time it seemed unnecessary, time-consuming and costly. Poor Granddad, he did get a lot of criticism. But we know that by laying out the fundamentals, this has given the family a great foundation for its future.

Granddad’s painting looks depressing. Lets get rid of it!

All agree, say I

What? You cant do that girls! I will always be part of Two Men And A Truck.


Richard Kuipers
1300 880 412

The Toast of the month by Tahlia

“I would like you all to top of your glasses and be upstanding.
The fundamental success of us working together as a family is because our Grandparents have set up a family structure. The family charter is the document we all still abide by today. A lot has changed and we are all still just as dysfunctional today as ever, but our family values have never wavered.”

So I would like you all to be upstanding as I propose a toast our family.

To our Family!

You may now be seated.

Well I can’t girls. I’m hanging on the wall!

PS. A family business is the greatest anti poverty program God ever created


Richard Kuipers

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TMAAT NEWSLETTER
FEBRUARY 2012

Life was slowly returning to normal after 7 years of disastrous plagues. All the frogs were gone and there was not a locus in sight. Peace had returned to the Valley of the Kings. Pharaoh Rickett II was a big and benevolent ruler of his people. He lived extravagantly with his wife Neffi and his son Tut in his enormous palace overlooking the Nile. In the early mornings he would take great pleasure in seeing thousands of slaves toiling in the terrible heat, building his great pyramid - his passageway into the skies, his house of eternity for him and his queens.

He held the title of “Lord of the Lands” and “High Priest of Every Temple”. As the High Priest, the Pharaoh represented the gods on earth. To do so, he had to build temples to honour his gods. Two lights that shone from the pyramid into the sky would beam the Pharaoh up to the stars to sit next to the gods making him the direct ruler of Egypt, the centre of the universe.

For us it is impossible to imagine how a pyramid could ever have been constructed and built in 20 years, so precise, so accurate and directly lined to the stars.

Nowadays, a task like that would never get off the ground. The suffering, the hardship, the risk to human lives, the OH&S implications… !

In those days, safety policies really didn’t mean a lot – the job just had to get done!

But it wasn’t just the pyramids. There are many extraordinary places like this all over the world – the temples in South America and Stone Henge, just to name a couple.

On a recent holiday, I was standing in front of the temple of Angkor Watt in Cambodia – a huge religious building constructed over 1000 years ago. How on earth was this possible?



The temple is made of boulders the size of small houses, maneuvered into place without any hydraulics, engines or cranes. These huge stones were mined and carried over a distance of 60 km. Thousands of these stones were then carefully hand-carved showing the stories of the peoples’ lives and battles – a legacy that has lasted forever.

Could humans alone have built this temple? Or was there some assistance from extraterrestrial beings? Maybe ET was for real… ?

OK, that’s probably a bit far-fetched. Perhaps these people were just much more advanced than we give them credit for.

And then there’s me. I had to get someone to help me up the steps just to see this shrine to the ingenuity and strength of man.

The construction of this temple even under normal conditions is mind-blowing, let alone the humidity, the malaria and the other diseases that would have made it near impossible to work.

But this beautiful temple, Angkor Wat, was lost until last century – lost in the jungle, covered by trees in the wilderness for hundreds of years. So, modern man isn’t completely hopeless. We did rediscover this hidden gem in the jungle.

All of these incredible structures were built under the rule of tyrannical, brutal kings for their own glory and everlasting peace at a huge cost and suffering to humanity only to satisfy their enormous egos. They had no concept of a precious human life.

Ironically, they might have been wise. They may have foreseen the mess we were headed for in the coming thousands of years. They may have known the gift they were providing future generations. Now, tourism has become the lifeline for many of these countries and it’s the temples and pyramids and other miracles that are keeping their economies going.

I mean, where would Greece be if wasn’t for the Parthenon??

As we drove from the airport in Siem Reap, Cambodia to our hotel, our friends, who had been there before, were commenting on all the new hotels that had been built and how much the town had changed in the last few years. It has become much more affluent with all of the visitors coming to see the temple complexes of Angkor Wat.

These monuments are now the chief economic assets in many countries. Cambodia tourism relies on tourists coming to see these remarkable sites.

Some of the perilous toil that the kings put their people through has ended up serving more than just their mountainous egos after all. Cambodia, for one, is buzzing!

I wonder what archaeologists will find in 2000 years from now. What will we leave behind?

Not a lot I’d say. I can’t imagine our new buildings lasting that long. Most of them will be lucky to make it through the next 100 years. The Opera House is on the verge of a collapse, in major need of repairs and the apartment building down the road looks like it was built of plywood.

We call ourselves the communication era. In reality we might be described by generations to come as the Dark Ages.

How will they ever know what we were thinking?

Computer discs will have long since disintegrated. They will find no trace of us.
Our ancestors left their stories in cartoon style in case we were to become illiterate.

Although, one monument that will be found will be The Colossus of Richard.

My men are working hard all day and through the night carting thousands of stones and toiling hard to ensure that their illustrious leader will be comfortable in his afterlife.

Richard! The council’s on the phone. They said “stop whatever it is you’re building in your backyard!” Tell them it is only a BBQ!


The Toast of the Month

Ladies and gentleman, I would like you to fill your glasses as I propose a toast to our poor ancestors who sacrificed their life and worked so hard.

They never received enough compensation for their outstanding efforts. In fact, these so-called primitive, uncivilized, illiterate people are the reason that many nations have been spared bankruptcy.

Please be up standing as we raise a toast to our ancestors.

“To our ancestors from the distance past”

You can all be seated but I’ve got to get moving!


Richard Kuipers
1300 880 412

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December Newsletter

To all my friends of whom, fortunately, there are many,



It doesn’t seem long ago that I turned 60. We had a great big party. We celebrated long into the night but I woke up the next day a senior citizen. My senior citizen’s card remains a reminder that I am well past my use-by date.

But I shouldn’t complain. After all, no one is paying attention to me any more. And secondly, why would I complain about the monthly electronic newsletters that I get reminding me what us senior citizens can get on special?

Evergreen Tours are offering fully guided tours, with a nurse and easy wheel chair access ... !

The best of all is cheap Tuesdays at the cinema; I can now afford a choc-top ice cream!

Retirement villages are sending me brochures of their newest facilities complete with happy snaps of the inmates (residents), smiling after a day of playing golf and bowls and when the sunrises doing Tai Chi.

Spare me! I could not stand all that. I have no interest in spending time in heaven’s waiting room!


Well, believe me or not, last week I turned 65! I am now allowed to retire - finally!

My friends wonder why I still work. Why?! Because the alternatives are disastrous! Gardening and day-time telly?! No thanks!

Why, once we hit a certain age, do we fall into the category of being incapable of work??



Sure, I have changed some of my responsibilities since my age became greater than my IQ. I don’t drive trucks any more and it’s been a while since I lifted a piano over a balcony. But I still love going to work.


I thrive on the adrenalin of dramas, decision-making and the day-to-day problems and issues.

Besides, I’m a highly active member of all sorts of interesting organisations - Family Business Australia, Toast Masters and others.

There is far too much to do in life. One must make the most of it all while one’s around!

Even though my age is now more than I can count to, I’m still very active and so is the business. We’ve made some big changes in the office this year, changes that had to happen.

I’m now the Brand Ambassador for Two Men And A Truck and as soon I know what that means, I’m going to give it everything I’ve got!

My two beautiful daughters have all of the admin under control - Catherine and Elizabeth. Plus, we have appointed Matthew as our CEO.



But I must admit, it was hard in the beginning - letting go and accepting that I was no longer in control. But we all know the importance of getting young, smart, new blood into the business, driving it ahead in new directions.

Thankfully, Matthew is not family. It’s very helpful to have someone that can’t get caught up in the emotional side of the family business issues.

Over my extensive years of service I have seen and done a lot but I could have been a whole lot more successful if I just knew back then all that I know now ...

These young kids who are running businesses and managing their careers today, they haven’t see bad times. They don’t know what high interest rates mean. No theory from a text book can help you learn that. That is strictly on-the-job training and it definitely doesn’t come free!

Us senior folk have got something that the young folk don’t - wisdom.

But it’s time for this old bloke to take some time to reflect and smell the roses. I’ve worked hard. I’ve raised a family and I’ve built a business. Maybe instead of my senior’s card they could have given me a medal ... ?

I remember when I was young, it was unheard of that a wife would work. Mother stayed at home and looked after the family. One income in those days was enough to support a family. We didn’t have much but what you don’t have, you don’t miss.

Stress was not the same. It was much less intense and people seemed to be just as happy. So what is it that technology has achieved exactly? Do we really need all this electronic communication?

You come home from a day at work and you are still checking your emails and spending hours on the computer. Your work is with you all the time.

We are now entering our last weeks before starting another year. I have enjoyed writing my monthly blogs and I will continue again next year.

One reader sent me a comment recently - she said “Richard, you must have a strange brain”

I replied “Thank you for your feedback. You are correct”

On behalf of us all at Two Men And A Truck and my family, we would like to wish you a great new year and may your god be with you.

Have a great time. Look after your family and yourself.


Richard Kuipers
1300 880 412

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November Newsletter

Top up your glasses ladies and gentlemen, I would like to propose a toast. Mr. Turtledove was not a pleasant man. In fact, he was a brute, who had made his fortune in many dubious ways. The family lived in a big rambling mansion on Sydney’s North Shore. It is hard to imagine that a person like him could have such a gorgeous daughter – Michelle. She was known for her long beautiful golden hair and her ethereal voice. To protect her from young admirers, he would keep her locked up in her attic bedroom. There she would cry day and night and sing out of the window. Will some admirer come and rescue me from this terrible place?

One night, Mr.Turtledove yelled “What is that racket?!”

“It’s the possums, dear”, his mistress said. “Go back to bed.”

In actual fact, it was young Pete standing on top of the truck, serenading her outside her bedroom window and playing on his bagpipes.

He was entranced with her beauty.

Yes folks. Love is truly in the air.

“Let down your golden locks, Michelle. Let down your hair and I will climb up and rescue you.”

“I can’t” she cried. I just had my hair cut short.

This didn’t deter the young Romeo; he put his ladder on top of his truck to climb up to her room.

“Pack your backpack. I am coming and we will elope together in the truck and we will get married and live happily ever after in the Kingdom of Oz!”

Just when he got to the window frame, her father came and yelled, “Get away from my daughter’s window!”. He took his shotgun and with the wooden butt of the gun he pushed the ladder away.

Pete fell screaming to the ground, causing extensive damage to the truck’s roof… and to himself.

Dr.Green, head of the ER department, frantically tried to revive the young man.

Michelle screamed hysterically.

Everything possible had been done to save this young mans life.

She put a rose in Pete’s hands and gave him his last kiss, tears pouring down her cheeks.

And just then, a miracle occurred. Young Pete opened his eyes and whispered, “I love you Michelle. I love you”. Slowly he recovered.





My wife and I were standing in the rose garden, watching the young lovers exchanging rings and stuttering the words “I do”.

Beside us, her father looked on, wishing he had his shotgun aimed straight to the groom’s head.

Pete’s mother Jean had eyes full of tears tightly clutching her husband Norm’s hand. Her little baby son is now about to leave home.

But Norm had a grin on his face, a son gone but one more spare room in the house.

During the ceremony my thoughts were going back in time, when Pete our 15 year old next-door neighbours son and I worked together on the truck.

Jean would worry and call me “Make sure he has lunch, Richard. He is still a growing boy”.

Thank goodness for the Golden Arches!

Pete became my second man on the truck in those early days. When our first customer - a local furniture shop owner - had a large item to be delivered, he would say, “Richard” I need the truck and two men.

This was the start of Two Men and a Truck.

I would now like you all to take your glass and be upstanding.
Let’s propose a toast to the young couple.

May they have a long and happy life together!

“To Pete and Michelle”

Congratulations to the bride and groom.


The couple smiled, they had found their true love.

Well good people, we are now nearly at the end of the year but they have a lifetime ahead of them.

Will they live together forever??
Yes we all know they will!

You may now be seated.

Anyone for a slice of cake?


Richard Kuipers



FOOTNOTE:

• Michelle and Peter got married in Lane Cove, Sydney
• Dr. Green was the doctor in the television series ER
• Love is in The Air by John Paul Young

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October Newsletter

THERE'S GOLD IN THEM THERE HILLS, MEN! The Gold Rush in Victoria was a golden time in our rich Australian history. People flocked from all over the world to try their luck at the goldfields in Ballarat. Fortunes were made and lost at the saloons and gambling dens. Not to mention the places of ill repute. Highway men hijacked the coaches, taking gold and valuables, leaving the poor helpless passengers destitute with nothing to show for all their hard labour. The most feared of all was the notorious Ned Kelly and his gang of thieving thugs.

Whatever the danger, it didn’t deter our first pioneers.

The Cobb and Co. coaches were laden with passengers and their few humble belongings, mining equipment and dynamite. Traveling to the Gold Fields in Victoria was a very dangerous trip.

It took a team of 6 horses to pull the wagons through the heat and dirt roads out past Bourke and beyond the Black Stump.

It wasn't just the gold miners making a fortune. This was a boom time for the removal companies too! Ships came from far and wide to dock in Botany Bay. Hundreds of horses and wagons were needed for transportation. Business was brisk for a sharp new outfit called Two Men and a Wagon.

Old photos are still in our archives of old trusty Arthur with his bottle of Bundaberg Rum and pipe in his mouth sitting next to his trusty side kick the Kelpie dog "Bullocky Bill", as they drove the cart loaded with sly grog and a pianola to the Stringy Creek Hotel.

Along the treacherous journey, the men would set up camp under a gum tree amongst the kangaroos at the edge of a billabong. They'd boil a 'billy' and cook a beautiful brain and tripe stew. The smell of the damper baking in the campfire made everybody hungry.

When the sun set over the horizon Geoff entertained the guests on his banjo singing his favorite Australian ballad that would become Australia's national anthem. The cockatoo’s joined the chorus…

When it comes time to shift
And there's heavy stuff to lift
You've called all of your friends
None of them will bend
And if your back is crook like mine
And you just don't have the time
To make it quick and save a buck
Call Two Men And A Truck

The stop-over at the Stringybark Creek Tavern was a luxury. The men and passengers had time to take a rest, eat and drink. Taking their first baths, after being on the road for so many weeks.

The Tavern was packed with the excited local gentry standing around the pianola, a glass in their hands, singing along and having a good time. Andy Rieu the local blacksmith’s apprentice gave a tune on his fiddle.

In those times where there was very little in the way of entertainment so having a musical instrument was considered a highly valuable commodity.

Usually a guard was on duty outside keeping an eye on the wagon, but that night everybody got merry and they were not aware that Ned Kelly and his gang had surrounded the tavern, planning to attack and rob the guests of all their belongings. It was going to be a rich haul! During the darkness of night they attacked. The landlord grabbed his musket, but he was too late. Ned lodged a bullet in the poor man's forehead. He dropped down the balustrade on to the bar. Dead. Woman and children screamed. Old Arthur heard the commotion from the pig sty, where he was sleeping it off. Realising help was needed; he had to act - FAST! The nearest police station was at Snake Gully, 9 miles away from Gundagai. He tied a note for help to his kelpy's collar; “Go Billy. Go Mate. Go Fast!”

Would Billy make it?

The faithful hound bounded through the night and dropped dead from exhaustion in front of the police station. Soon help was on the way.

A posse of police and trackers soon surrounded the tavern but Ned wasn’t a man to give up easily.

He walked out of the pub in his suit of steel plate amour with all guns blazing.

"Kill me or you'll all die!" he roared.

But Ned and his gang of thieves were surrounded. They didn’t stand a chance.

The town celebrated Ned's death that night but Ned and the Kelly Gang live long in Australian folklore.

Such is Life

Ned became our National Folk Hero, His skull is now on display in our office.

Alfred Deacon became Australia’s 2nd Prime minister.

A statue of Bullocky Bill is erected in Gundagai. (The Dog on the Tuckerbox)

Moses' poem - Nine Miles from Gundagai - was first published in 1938 www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1938_in_Australia

Geoff Turner from the Radiators wrote and performed the Two Men and a Truck jingle.


Richard Kuipers

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August Newsletter

OUR LATEST EXPANSION PLANS Since the opening of our new solar planetary office and storage depot on the planet Vulcan and the purchase of 6 secondhand intergalactic trucks from Darth Vader Secondhand Fleet sales, we are now planning to establish daily runs between the Milky Way. Our Klingon franchisor and local resident - George Spock - will be more than happy to assist you with your next interplanetary move. If you have difficulties communicating in the galactic language Vulca, our office will be glad to be of assistance.

Matthew Skywalker was very excited. Through hard work and diligent study, his dreams of becoming the Commander of interplanetary alien mover Star Truck with the greatest moving team in the universe - Two Jedi's And A Spacetruck - had finally become a reality.

Flight engineer, Marshall, was requesting solar clearance from CASA. It was part of important assignment. By doing this move efficiently, the Australian Government could award us with an intergalactic moving contract.

Jim Jabba, Canberra’s newly appointed Federation Ambassador and his wife Lea, are relocating their three bedroom weatherboard house from Wagga Wagga to their new home on the planet Naboo.

On board, the passengers are resting peacefully and comfortably for the next 50 years of the flight in hypertonic cocoon state safely in their own domestic freezer and will be awakened close to the time of arrival.

To save time, landing fees and messing about with local council regulations that are all part of landing an intergalactic spaceship on the highway, Robot Artuditu beamed the house and contents to the loading bay using the molecule zapper transporter device. Obviously a little more time in training was needed because, unfortunately, it blew most of the furniture to smithereens!

To make up precious time, Matthew Skywalker, set the 4 Holden V8 rocket launcher blaster engines into full throttle, taking the dials perilously close to the red zone.

Sub-lieutenant Kaan was frantically programming Hal's computer database. "Close down the engines, Hal!" Hal's red eye started to flash.

"I can't do that Daniel. This mission is too important to me for you to jeopardize it!"

The mission spiraled out of control, sending the craft to places and frontiers where no one had ever been before. Slack and shoddy repairs by Darth Vader Secondhand Fleet Sales caused the ship to disintegrate and high pressure on the fuselage forced the freezer to propel itself out of the ship like a bullet into space.

"MAY DAY MAY DAY"

"This is a TJAAS Emergency. We are 10 million light years from Wagga Wagga and things are not looking good."

"This is Sydney Radar. We are looking for you. Please set your radio to 1200"

"This is base station to Star Truck. Can you hear me? Can you hear me?"

No response… no one spoke English.

"Iv'oH Dochvammey vetlh ja'Daq vo'ram" *

All crew and furniture were presumed lost, feared dead.

It was a sober, quiet moment in the office now that we realised that our dreams of becoming the first removal company to expand to the outer galaxy had come to a sudden end.

Then an email arrived from the Earth's embassy on planet Naboo:

Hi there movers. Thank you for your assistance with our move. We had a good flight but we were surprised to have arrived inside our fridge. Please advise when the remainder of our furniture will follow.

Flight engineer Marshall navigated this ship through the constellations and the black hole like a real pro and made an amazing emergency landing on the tail of Haley's Comet.

The Observatory Disk at Parker's received a faint message…

Hi folks, we are safe and well. It does get very dark out here. What do you want us to do with the furniture? We will be back in 60 years. Matthew Skywalker.

• Vulca: who are these idiots that call in the middle of the night?
• Hal the computer from the film Space Odyssey 2001
• Graig Marshall flying instructor Curtis Aviation, Camden
• Matthew Gajda our new CEO
• Daniel Kaan our data base consultant

Richard Kuipers

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August Newsletter

Vini Vidi Vici 98 BC - Mark Antony and Cleopatra. The greatest love story ever told. A story immortalised by Shakespeare and Elizabeth Taylor. In fact, it is a strange story about dysfunctional adults. What Cleopatra saw in Mark is hard to imagine. Not only was he old enough to be her father, he had several wives, contraltos, mistresses and children. Not to mention that she was having an affair with his boss Julius Caesar. Also, he had debt collector Martasius and his army chasing him for unpaid bills. It was time for Antony to move in with Cleopatra, fast! In truth, this 'love story' was a terribly sordid affair.

Last year, the Pompeii council constructed a sewerage pipe into the Mediterranean. During excavation, the ancient offices of "Two Slaves And A Chariot" were discovered. Little was found and it seemed that the owner - Ricket Kuiprisio - had fled before the end of the financial year tax audit. Only one papyrus roll survived. It was an epistle from Mark Antony written in hieroglyphs by the scribe Gillias.


Dear Ricket

I would like to thank you for the great move. The high priestess, Susana from the temple of Apollo and her vestal virgins, did a great job packing. She did explain how difficult it was to get vestals in these modern times.

The foreman, gladiator Seanius Crowsas made the slaves work extra hard using his whip unsparingly and applying brutal force.

Rowing the galleons during the storms must have been harrowing; luckily only two ships sank with all crew aboard. I can’t imagine trekking over the desert with 200 chariots in the scorching heat and being attacked by a band of Hittites. Sorry to hear so many slaves perished.

Cleopatra was most pleased. Unfortunately when unpacking she stood on a funnel web spider that came out of one of the boxes. Nothing could be done to save her from an agonizing death. I blame the quarantine office at Petros.

Thank you once again for the great service. I have now joined the temple of Apollo and the vestal virgins,

Yours truly
Mark Antony

2011 AD - Emma takes a call from a customer

"Tony, we are sorry to hear that your wife has left you. We understand that you now would like us to move you and your new partner, Cleo, to your new house. Susan will be able to organize a packing team of ladies to help you. Sean, our foreman, can come and discuss your move with you"

Throughout history not much has changed. Although, we can't call them slaves, we do work our men hard. The chariots are now carbon polluting trucks and as hard as we try to avoid it, we still get the odd breakdown. The taxman is still chasing us.

Lets face it folks, we are all still as dysfunctional as ever.


Richard Kuipers
Long live Ricket Kuiprisio

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July Newsletter

Once in a while I like to take a birds view eye of the business and family. In my helicopter overlooking the scene, I can see my wife preparing a lamb roast and sautéed potatoes.

A bottle of wine is on the table next to the candles. She knows her husband will be home soon, tired and weary after a long hard day at work. A romantic night just the two of us.

Hi, What can I see there? It looks like Zac and his crew. No! It is Chris and his hard working men moving a big house. He has 2 trucks and a ute to ferry the furniture up the steep driveway.

A big move and it looks like Chris is carrying a Grandfather clock up the steps. A bit further down the road is Owen. He is loading a container truck and he will be heading for Melbourne. It is nearly loaded and then he will be on his way.

They are all doing a fantastic job and are highly professional.
What does one expect… I did train them all personally.

The office staff doesn’t know that I am looking at them from above. It is all right they are hard at work. No talking and gossiping about me.
It is always good to check.

It is a busy day in the office. Bookings are coming in paper work has to be checked and filed there is so much to do. Especially getting the accounts ready.
On my desk is a note from Mark the bank manager. He has invited me for lunch to meet the chairman of the bank.

I say a business is all about systems, organisation and good management skills. I set my goals and targets. The business plan is a document I keep in my top draw close at hand.
Being efficient is my trademark.

Everybody knows how lucky they are to have such a good boss.

Richard ! Wake up!! We can hear you snoring from upstairs.
The phones are going mad and as usual you are not doing anything. Gillian found all these mistakes in the bookings you took. Owen is on his way to Melbourne when he should be going to Brisbane.

You promised you would do the few simple tasks I gave you and as always nothing has been done. And by the way Mark from the bank rang to tell you to stop putting all your wine on your credit card or he will cancel the card. He is not happy and wants to meet you to discuss your accounts. Are they up to date?

Chris just had an accident. He dropped a Grandfather clock down the steps. The customer is most upset as it belonged to her grandfather. Chris explained that he got distracted by an idiot flying a helicopter above his head.

Unlikely story.

Well you can only dream of running a perfect life. Reality is different, but you can only give it your best.

Now I must get moving. My wife has gone out and left a frozen dinner in the fridge.
No wine tonight.


Richard Kuipers

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June Newsletter

Two Men and a Truck

Time to get moving men you have a family to look after.

When I did my first move with an old truck 20 years ago, I never expected that 20 years later our three daughters and their husbands would be involved with the daily running of the business.

In typical grass-roots fashion, we started in the lounge room and then expanded to a caravan at the back of the house but when we got into trouble with the council for having a home office, me and the trucks moved to a small shop in Cammeray. Now we are at our current premises in St Leonards with plans to relocate to bigger premises in Botany.

We started with the occasional moves in North Sydney but now Two Men And A Truck operates in most states. The name might suggest that we just do small relocations but, in fact, we do a lot of large relocations too, both domestic and commercial.

Catherine, our eldest daughter, is the CEO. Elizabeth and her husband Cyril manage Melbourne. But Jo, is too busy looking after her twin girls - the third generation of Kuipers!

Joining FBA (Family Business Australia) last year was excellent. Having completed the directors course and attending Forum meetings and conferences it has given me a clearer understanding of the complexity of running a family business and succession planning.

Business is both fun and rewarding, and we make a good team but, as we all know, it is hard to separate family issues and the business. My wife Cheryl deals with most of the family dramas around the kitchen table. She is the other CEO - the Chief Emotional Officer!

Our systems, the lifeblood of our business, are getting into place and helping us run a tight ship. We have regular family board meetings and family forum meetings. The most important document we have in place is the family constitution.

When I was doing the Family directors course I thought - “why am I doing all this? If I sold the business I wouldn’t have to be here and I could retire in luxury…”

As tempting as it is some days, it’s not something that I can do. I love the challenge of bringing it all together and being able to provide the next generation with a good business and a good income. An important legacy.

I truly hope that my family has the energy and interest to take it to the second generation… and maybe the third. But until it’s in their hands, I just continue to give it my best.

As always it has been an eventful month and that is without exaggeration but I will tell you about that in my next newsletter.

I would like to give thank you to Catherine and Matthew for organizing our stand at the FBA congress at Darling Harbour. This year we were one of the sponsors of the NSW congress. A big success.

Now it is time for me to go home to a perfect family and have a glass of red.

But folks, it is not as simple as it sounds.


Richard Kuipers

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May Newsletter

Look out ladies and gentleman, it’s about to get political!

Boy, don’t we live in a changing world, hey.

When I was young my father always said “get a good job with the bank or with the government and you will be set for life, Richard”

“To make money you have to work for it. Money doesn’t grown on trees, son! Someone has to pay for it eventually”

Well, we certainly work hard for our money in the removals industry.

Some time ago, I saw a financial program on the TV featuring an eminent professor who had forecast many events and made many financial predictions. Then, in fact, the actual outcomes were the exact opposite of each prediction!

One things for sure though - we know that we always have to pay more taxes and more health insurance.

Not that we mind paying a bit of tax, mind you. But then, where does it all go? It seems that no one is accountable for it.

You know Andrew Twiggy - one of Australia’s richest, self made men. He pays himself a mere $150,000 a year. That’s what I call responsible.

On the other hand, the chairman of a bank got paid $15 million in the same period from shareholders’ funds! Is anybody worth that much ... apart from me??

In our office, decisions get made at the drop of a hat. (eg How can we tell Richard it is time for him to retire?) Of course, the important issues surely get discussed, but decisions are getting made and things are getting done!

For the government to make a decision it has to go through 3 different boards, 8 meetings, 5 independent reviews, 4 round-table appraisals and a popularity survey. Can you imagine it? And then, if people don’t like it, it gets scrapped. “Well we can’t loose voters, can we”

They have been discussing building a new airport in Sydney for 40 years. But take a look at our beautiful harbour bridge built 80 years ago. And it’s still big enough for the current traffic volume. That was foresight and a vision for the future, men!

I mean, have you ever been to a board meeting? That’s an experience! All talk and no action. Members give a view just to look important but they have absolutely no idea what they are talking about.

Well, aren’t we lucky in NSW - a new state government to sort out the mess. But do they even have the experience to sort out any mess? Hmmm ... we’ll see.

The last government came unstuck with the carbon tax issue but if you asked the guy in the street, he wouldn’t know even know what a carbon tax was! Do you know? I have no idea!

Where is all this money supposed to be going to? And is it going to make a difference? Just paying for more bureaucracy, I say.

Those politicians are too far removed from reality. They would have no idea of the complexity of running a business, dealing with the day-to-day issues, legislations, laws, OH&S, taxation. The list goes on.

Here’s another departure from reality - have you ever noticed the Oval Office in the White House? The poor president has got only an old desk a few paintings and an outdated brown phone. Is that a direct line to Pizza Hut? Where’s the red phone? The hot line to the Pentagon?

Plus, there’s not a computer or a piece of paper in sight!

When Steve Jobs from Apple was invited to the White House he should have given the president a computer and the new iPad. That would look cool on his desk!

OK, and what about this irony - our Prime Minister gave an address to the nation and behind her was a portrait of Captain Cook. And as we all know, he came here by sailing boat two hundred years ago. Anyone who arrives by boat without an invitation these days gets locked up in a detention center on Christmas Island at a huge expense to all of us!

Come on, be realistic - more people come by plane and overstay their welcome than people that are coming by boat!

What about our friend Captain Cook. Did he have a visa?

OK, OK, enough about politics. Lets go and see what is happening in our little world.

Yes, this is Martyn our estimator. He’s looking busy and efficient at his desk. We don’t see him much as he’s usually on the road going from house to house.

“Hey Richard, the board has made a decision - you are now retired!”

Guess I better pack up my desk and get moving. I am going into politics - ‘President Richard of Australia’. Sounds good doesn’t it. Things are going to be changing around here…


Richard

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April Newsletter

Lets get moving men!

I always enjoy writing about our fantastic teams on the road - the men that do the heavy work. Yes, our men are the backbone of our business.

Lets go and see how Mrs. Tucker’s move is progressing. I’ll be there to give a hand. On all the big jobs they like to have me around for my experience… and strength. Mental strength, that is!

Martyn, our estimator, has quoted on the move and Sean our supervisor will make sure that all will go according to plan. This one’s a big move.

8am. The trucks are at the front door.

“Good Morning Mrs.Tucker. I am George and may I present my team”

Nice to meet you boys. This is Oliver my cat.

“You have a beautiful cat Mrs. Tucker”

Yes, he is my pride and joy. Now, everything is packed and ready to be moved boys.

“You have done a good job packing Mrs. Tucker”

I didn’t do to much George , the packing ladies came yesterday and packed it all and Bill delivered all the packing materials.

(Good on you ladies. This is not an easy task, it’s hard work)

“Richard, when you finished moving the snooker table, can you help us move the grand piano?“

“George, I can do that by myself it is only on the 2nd floor. I will be there in a second”

As always I am willing to give a helping hand when needed. Lets face it these young chaps don’t have the strength we oldies have.

“This is a big move George. We’ve got one load going to her new house and the rest is going to fill a container in our container yard”

Excuse me boys, have you seen Ollie the cat?

“No. Sorry, Mrs. Tucker. He’ll turn up”

It always amazes me how much stuff people have. I’m loading box number 80 and there’s still plenty more to go! People accumulate lots of things over the years.

“Anymore room for the piano George?”

Boys, you doing a wonderful job, but have you seen Ollie the cat? Where is Ollie? Has anyone seen Ollie?

“No, Mrs. Tucker. But I’m sure he’s around here somewhere…”

It’s nearly 4pm and Mrs. Tucker’s move is nearly finished and the poor lady has had to go back to her old house to try to find her cat.

“You and your team did a fantastic job, George”

“Thanks Richard! I appreciate your compliment, but we couldn’t have done it without you”

“Gee, I sure do hope Mrs. Tucker finds her cat”

All these moves take a lot of planning and organizing. A lot of work goes on behind the scenes The girls in the office and Trevor do a fantastic job.

Terry and Sean have just completed the AFRA insurance course and are proudly displaying there certificate on the wall. I have done the test myself and it wasn’t easy. Congratulations guys!

I must not forget Elizabeth and Cyril who manage our Melbourne branch; I can see that it has been a busy month down there.

Thanks also to Monika and Steve for organizing our sponsorship of the Gold Coast Bridge convention. As always this is a big event. Bridge players come from all over the country to participate in this event.

Back on the truck, George is taking the container into storage…

“Jeff, can you hear that funny scratching noise in the container?”

“No George. It’s just the wind, mate”

After a hard day’s work it’s time to go home and put a steak on the BBQ, sit down and have a cold beer. Because tomorrow it’s going to be time to get moving again!


Richard

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March Newsletter

Unpack the treadmill first boys. It’s time to get healthy

“Hey Richard, how are you going?”

“Fantastic! I couldn't be better! Nothing wrong with me!”

My wife immediately interrupts – “Don't listen, Doctor. He is not well at all”

“His ankles are swollen, his knees need replacing, there is a funny lump on his head and he gets very cranky”

So, we all sit down and my wife pulls out the list of tablets I take.

A detailed conversation between the doctor and my wife, who is a trained nurse, takes place.

I sit there like a child at parent-teacher night as they both talk about my health report card. Only speaking when spoken to…

They show me a chart.

“Richard, the last time I saw you, you were in the yellow zone and now you are in the orange zone and you know what comes after orange, don’t you. That’s right – red!”

“Oh great, so I’m improving then?!”

He shakes his head with a very disappointed look and then tells me that if I take this pill I could get back to the yellow zone again, but it might have some serious side affects…

“That’s OK. I’ll take a box of them thanks doc!”

“But, he always forgets to take his tablets if I am not there. You have to be more responsible, Richard” my wife says

Then the inevitable questions arises – “Do you smoke? And how much do you drink??”

I have never smoked thank goodness, but I do like a little glass of wine or a whiskey at night…

“Don't listen to him, doctor. It’s more like a bottle” my wife interrupts

“Do you mind getting on the scales, Richard?”

“Yes! I do mind. The news won't be good”

“Richard your ankles are swollen and your knees are worn out because you are too fat.

You should loose at least 20 kg, if not more!”

“How much?? You’re joking!”

“I can recommend a good diet, Richard. I guarantee it works because, look, I am on it myself!”

That’s good for him. He’s a rake.

I wonder if he ever had a large medium rare steak, mushroom sauce and sautéed potatoes in his life?

Especially with a wife like mine. I mean, she can cook! And she loves cooking

Plus, I’d go on a diet. But I’m not that selfish. Many of the top restaurants depend on me for their survival!

But now they’re talking about a knee replacement. I saw this procedure done on RPA once. Even if I could run, I wouldn’t be running to get that done!

The nurse would have to take a blood sample. I can see how that would go…

“This won’t hurt a bit, Richard”

“How do you know? Do you ever jab yourself with that thing?!”

Aaagghh! I knew it would hurt!

“How much blood are you taking, nurse? That’s your 4th tube. I don’t have that much to spare!”

I thought it might be easier to keep my health a secret so my wife wouldn’t worry. I spoke to the doctor about doctor-patient confidentiality

He screwed his face up at me in amazement and said “Richard, you’re a lucky man. You have a wife that cares!”

It’s true. I’m a very lucky man and, men, take it from me – you’ve got to look after your health. Us blokes are usually the last to take any notice of this stuff

Now, back to work…
Congratulations to Eric and Alex. We have had so many good reports and comments from customers on how friendly and efficient you are. So, we decided to award you with a special trophy.

Well done, Eric!
and well done, Alex!


The girls felt like changing things around. The office has been reorganised and our desks have all been moved around and, as I predicted, my desk is now under the staircase. I don’t think I’m needed anymore!

Between these pretty roses, we now have another thorn. Trevor has joined the team. At the moment he is still in training, but we can all see great potential… !

Hey Richard, your doctor rang with your test results. He said your blood contains an incredibly high amount of 1978 Shiraz!

Well, what does he expect? I only drink the best!

I’d better get moving. We’re having a lovely tofu steak on the BBQ tonight with a glass of carrot juice and a handful of colourful pills.


Richard

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February Newsletter

Pack your Wellington's men. It’s really coming down!

At the start of this year, we enjoyed the world’s most spectacular fireworks display on Sydney Harbour. The year really kicked off with a bang!

Everything looked rosy. It was going to be a GREAT year!

Little did we know that within days we would be dealing with the biggest floods in Australian history.

The extreme weather patterns are causing rivers to overflow, they are destroying houses, businesses and crops. But there was one thing that did not get destroyed – the good ol’ Aussie spirit. In spite of all this tragedy, the nation really came together.

It is inspirational to see so many people and companies volunteering their time, money and skills. Emergency services men and women risking their lives trying to help others. This sort of ‘mateship’ has always been at the heart of our cultural values. We’re always there to help each other in a moment of need. Go Aussies!

But, just for a minute, let me look at this from another angle…

I can’t help but wonder – is all of this heartache and destruction necessary?

Now, I’m not suggesting that we can beat Mother Nature. She’s tougher than all of us. But where I’m from – Holland – we’ve been battling the water forever. Most of the country is 4 metres under the water level!

But the land there is protected from the sea and the rivers by dikes – a slope or wall to regulate water levels.

The Rijn and other large rivers have two large dikes and in days gone by it was windmills that would pump water out of the fields (or polders, as we called them).

I still have vivid memories of the big flood of 1953 where 2,400 lives were lost.

After this disaster the Delta works commenced – a huge building program assuring the safety of the country against future disasters.

It’s certainly not the first time we’ve seen a lot of water in Australia. And as sure as the waters rose in January, the waters will rise again. And just as surely we will face more huge damage bills.

Couldn’t we use this money for planning and building a water defense program?

I mean, where is all of this water when we have a drought? It sure isn’t in the dams. It’s back in the sea!

I say the government needs to act? Who’s with me? It’s always “too hard” or “too expensive” so it’ll never happen in the term of any government.

But don’t take my word for it. How about my old friends back in the Netherlands…

From Radio Netherlands worldwide The Dutch regard Australia's flood precautions as pretty puny. There are hardly any dykes and the population of Queensland and Brisbane have to make do with some low embankments as protection. Dutch dyke builders also regard the mere two meters that the water has to rise before the city starts to flood as useless. www.rnw.nl/english/article/dutch-unimpressed-australian-dykes

Enough of my ranting though. Where can we help?

Trucks are always in need in case of emergencies. We’ve got trucks! And we’ve been pleased to volunteer our services to Mission Angel.


Our men will be delivering goods from Melbourne to Queensland for the folks up there and we’ve enjoyed completing work for other worthwhile causes too.

A very special mention to James and his team for donating all the proceeds from a move to Queensland flood appeal. Well done to all our men!

Now on a much happier note:
Marta, our wonderful bookkeeper, has had a healthy baby boy – Maximillian Richard – Max for short. I like the Richard part though. I wonder where that came from…?

Congratulations Marta and Matthew this is great news. Marta you just relax, I have taken over your job while you’re away and everything is in safe hands!

“Richard! it is Marta on the phone from the maternity ward. She says to step away from the computer and quit messing up her work or she will have to come in and sort you out, baby n’ all!”

Right then, I guess I’d better get moving…

Time for a glass of red, anyway

Richard

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January Newsletter

Get your flags out men! Australia day is upon us soon…

I have an experience to share with you that I have never forgotten. Nearly 40 years ago I arrived in Australia. I stood outside Sydney airport with my suitcase and I thought this must be a fabulous place.

The custom officer said "Have a good time, mate!" And with that he stamped my passport and I was off.

I had just $18.00 in my pocket, I knew nobody and I had just used up the only way on a one way ticket. I wouldn't have made it through Border Security these days. I would have been considered an undesirable character and sent back home!

In those days, life was far more relaxed. I stayed at the Waldorf Hotel in Cremorne Point. Flashy name but not that swish. Full board and lodging was only $22.00 per week. The wharf was just nearby and you could take the ferry to the city and see the Opera House reaching completion.

I had a tiny little balcony room overlooking Sydney Harbour. These days you would pay a fortune for that view.

The gong went at 7am for breakfast and 7pm for Dinner. If you were late, bad luck, door closed. The food wasn’t very memorable but the chambermaid was.

I could only afford a few days, so I had to find work… fast! One of the guests worked on a building site and said they needed more tradesmen.

The next morning I applied for a job as a bricklayer. The foreman asked me how many bricks I could lay in an hour. Silly question, how do I know? I never laid a brick in my life!

I started pushing a wheelbarrow and shoving bags of stuff into a huge cement mixer and pretended to look busy and know what I was doing. A month later I realized I forgot to put lime into the cement mix to keep it together. But it's OK, the building is still standing.

After all these years I still live in the same suburb. (My father never sent me money for the return ticket home so I had no choice but to stay).

I never moved. Why should I? This is a fantastic place to live!

The Waldorf hotel has now been redeveloped to luxury apartments. You need a few million dollars to stay there now.

This December has been the busiest month we have ever had, the phones never stopped and the online enquiries kept on coming in. It is amazing how many people move this time of year.

I would like to say a big thank you to our fantastic teams. Our men on the road and the girls in the office.

Yes, you all did a fantastic job working around the clock fitting and coordinating moves.

Trying to accommodate and juggling jobs around can get stressful!

You all did very, very well and I thank you.

How can we go wrong with such a good looking and hardworking team of Steve, Neil and Carlos.

What about Marta? She has finished her accademic studies in business management psychology and passed with flying colours. Plus, she is expecting a baby at any moment!

I'd like to think that I am a friendly and easygoing person and, seeing as Australia has been so good to me, I don’t mind paying taxes. We all have to contribute to society.

We live in the best country in the world. Australia has so much to offer and there is so much opportunity to succeed. Sure you work hard, very hard. I find it a shame that so many people, especially the younger ones, don’t realize this and take our lifestyle for granted.

Have a great Australia day folks. I've got to keep moving, it's time to throw a prawn on the Barbie… and maybe enjoy a beer or two!


Richard

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December News

Get the trucks cleaned men.

St. Nick’s in town!

Have you been naughty or nice?

Our family, the Kuipers, came from Tiel, one of the oldest towns in Holland. Situated on the river Rijn (Waal) and not far from Arnhem.

St Nicholas, the bishop from Spain, would arrive with pomp and fanfare on his white stallion with the aid of his Moorish helper Zwarte Piet (Black Peter).

There was a marching band leading a procession and it was a big event for young and old. With children cheering and waving flags and the mayor on the podium with a stirring speech as he handed the Bishop the keys to town.

On the night before Christmas, the children would put their shoes next to the fireplace with some hay or a carrot inside and a bowl of water nearby “for Santerklaas’ horse”

Maybe Saint Nick would get a glass of Jenever (Gin)!

The children sang a Santerklaas song and the next day they would find some sweets or a small present in their shoes.

It was an exciting time. The war had only recently finished and life was still hard for many people.

Freezing cold weather and long dark nights. Boy was it cold!

Saint Nick, I’ve been very good this year. I’m always very good!

Do you know, after 40 years down under I have still not gotten used to the hot December month.

I still hear people playing the old Bing Crosby tune – I Dream Of A White Christmas. Keep dreaming folks… Our plastic reindeers and plastic Santas are melting in the sun!

“Jo do you remember when Mum cooked Christmas lunch?”

Turkey, hams and plum puddings . Mum was in the kitchen. It was the hottest day ever and Dad ended up snoring on the lounge. Mum still hasn’t recovered. No plum pudding this year!

People’s enthusiasm and spirit to do things is amazing.

Thank you to Greg and your team. What an effort! Unfortunately though – no record broken.

This is the first year we had the pleasure of sponsoring the Red Bull FluggTag. The crowds loved it! Again, the funds raised went to charity.

It took 6 months and many get-togethers to build that flying contraption and about 6 seconds to destroy it!

But, we did get a big HOORAY from the crowds.

Back to the drawing board Greg. I’ve got a few new ideas… Maybe a flying truck ?!?!

MOVEMBER MONTH

Little is done in support of men’s health so it’s great to see our men participating in this worthwhile cause. A memorable celebration evening was held at Borrusa’s Pizza Restaurant and an opportunity to show off their mo’s!

Catherine and Gillian organised a stand at the Family Business Life Style Expo at Darling Harbour.

We are one big family. The girls in the office, the men on the road. our customers and suppliers. What a team!! What a year it has been.

This is the season of good will and spirit and I am lucky. The family is healthy and we don’t have any major issues. Not all families can say the same.

On behalf from us all at Two Men and a Truck, I would like to thank you for your support and for finding time to read my monthly updates and comments.

Have a fantastic festive season.

I know 2011 is going to be fabulous.

I will be back again soon. I have got plenty of stories to write about.

Hi Richard. It is your wife Cheryl on the phone. There is an old fellow with a miter at your house, says he is a good friend of yours… ?

Now I really must get moving’’

Jenever tonight!

Richard

PS
Thank you Melbourne, USA for your kind comments.
Didn’t know there was a Melbourne in the US. Did you??
Yes I will keep my stories going folks.

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This month Two Men and a Truck are signing up for "Movember!"

The Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and Beyond Blue – the national depression initiative have joined to raise funds and awareness for men's health.

Most of our removalists and office staff have registered and are growing a moustache to help with this great cause.
We are asking for donations for our team from yourselves and our suppliers.

We are also donating $3 from every move during November to "Movember".
In addition, the men will have donation forms in hand when they come to do your move so it will be easy for you to donate.

We encourage you to get behind this cause as we get behind our employees to assist with world class and innovative programs in the fields of research, education, support and awareness.

and now to my story of the month.

Get your spades out men,

I found an old photo of Walter and I in a drawer. We were Opal mining in Lighting Ridge.
For a small fee to the council and 4 pegs in the ground, the claim was ours.

We now own an opal mine. You could feel that opal was there for the picking and we were the men to find it. Riches beyond our wildest dreams awaiting us…

The process, however was and not as romantic and lucrative as it sounds. We had to dig a 6 metre hole into the ground and then dig a tunnel towards the opal layer.

No supports used. The tunnel could have collapsed any time. Dirt had to be put in a bucket, hoisted up with a rope, wheel barrowed to a watering hole and then washed and sieved. Every piece of grit had to be scrutinised. It could be worth mega bucks or nothing at all.
Oh, my - the heat! The sun was a ball of fire. The best place was surely underground where we lived.

Hey is this an Opal?
No idea. Having never done this before I had no idea what I was supposed to be looking for. But you kept on digging and digging. Filling the buckets with dirt.
It is like gambling, Living in hope that the next bucket could produce the big find.
For relaxation the Black Opal Hotel was the place and only place to go to. At nighttime beer couldn’t be pulled fast enough.

Tom a lonesome character down on his luck for many years had suddenly struck it rich “Tom, show us what you found. “He would then open a match box showing his findings. All drinks on Tom.

Getting back to your tent at night was a dangerous mission. Mines were just uncovered holes in the ground. Many a good person disappeared and was never found again. Accident or fowl play? The making of a good mystery and what ever happend to Walter??

Needless to say, I never did find anything worthwhile, but what an experience!

Back on solid ground here in the office, the real gems are the girls who work in the office and the ladies who do the packing and un-packing. Not an easy job. The pressure is always on. Making sure the customer is happy and the men are kept in toe.

Sal, our Canberra driver came to the Sydney office last week. This was a good opportunity for Tim our photographer from next door to take a photo of our prized team.

Good work Sal. It is a hard job. Politicians move very fast!
“Hey Cath – I can hear some funny noises underneath the office and the floor is shaking”
“Nothing to worry about Gillian. It is only Dad digging. He thinks there might be opal underneath the floorboards!”

“Cath! The building is collapsing! Evacuate! Evacuate! Immediately!
Phew - thank goodness for our emergency procedures!

----------------------------------------
This is the 6 o’clock news:
A building has collapsed in St Leonards causing major damage and extensive traffic jams. The foundations have given way. It is still a mystery as to what has happened. Rescuers on the scene can hear the faint noise of a survivor under the rubble murmuring “Opal, Opal, I have found Opal!”
----------------------------------------


Now, time for me to get moving folks!
No wine tonight – Beer!

Richard Kuipers
Two Men and a Truck

I recently received an email reminding me of the 10-year reunion of the Sydney Olympic Games. Wow! How time flies!

Back in the glory days of 2000, I was asked to compete in an ultra marathon but I decided to let someone else take the glory of winning :)

Instead, I volunteered as a bus driver. I arrived at my post ready for duty in my new uniform. I didn't know what to expect and I was transferred to the VIP shuttle bus run picking up guests and taking them to and from the airport with regular runs from the leading hotels to the Olympic Arena and other sporting venues.

After a brief lecture on security, protocol and the maps, I was the man behinds the wheel!

The who's who of the world were loaded into my bus. Mohammed Ali, Chelsea Clinton, presidents, kings and dictators, just to name a few.

Before long, protocol had disappeared and there was a job to be done. Passenger Count!

I overheard another driver yelling to a group of people - King? King? I'm missing a King! Hey mate, are you a King? The King of Greece raised his hand on my bus and was quickly ferried away.

I kept the Aussie vibe alive with Australian folk songs. Mine was the bus that rocked to Waltzing Matilda and Farewell to Botany Bay.

Sometimes it was quite overwhelming arriving at a site that I've never been to before and getting lost with a bus full of people. Thank goodness for the maps!

I have to tell you - my voluntary work back then taught me a good lesson in patience. I spent hours in basements of fancy hotels and outside sporting arenas, waiting in case a call came in. I can assure you - the basement of the Ritz ain't too Ritzy!

But to be part of history was a wonderful thing.

If our passengers were happy they would give me a hat pin. We put these little tokens in our caps and we would swap them between us.

Us 8 drivers were the most efficient and reliable and economical bus service in Sydney!

I'm always talking about men on the road but today I have to give a big HOORAY to the packing ladies.

Do you know about these ladies?

All of the packing and unpacking is done by a fantastic team of dedicated ladies under the careful supervision of Susan.

If you're selling your house and you need things to look just right, these ladies can pack up all the pieces and then our fellas can take it to storage.

Packing and unpacking a house is not easy (especially with young kids or a baby). So if you need the help of a full pack or unpack, Susan will organise everything. Just give her a call.

Hey, did I mention babies?

I would like to congratulate our office manager, my daughter, on the birth of a beautiful baby girl. The proud father, Cyril, is 10-feet tall.

All these daughters and grand-daughters sure do keep me on my toes!

No glass of wine tonight - I'm on baby-sitting duty!

Alright, time for me to get moving…

Richard Kuipers
Two Men and a Truck (Australia) Pty.Ltd

Man the life rafts men. We're goin' on the cruise of a lifetime!

I'm going to take you back to 1973 aboard the RHMS Patris, shortly departing from Sydney wharf bound for the South Pacific Islands and Tahiti.

This is your Captain speaking, Richard the Sailing Dutchman from Two Men. Your crew and entertainment staff are ready to give you the best trip you can imagine!

These are my old memories from when I used to work aboard the ship. They were heady times. Full of fun and excitement. So much to do on board…

There were shows at night, the best restaurants on the water, a late night disco in the Attiki lounge and, even better, if you like a game of cards during the day, come and see your Bridge Director. That was me! I know a thing or two about playing Bridge.

Back in the glory days I was slim, handsome and quite debonair - the Catch of the Cruise! Some things never change :)

At night time you would find me in the Attiki lounge chatting to the young girls. The pay wasn't great but… oh, what a job!

This is where I met a beautiful young girl. We had drinks and we danced all night to the music of Space Odyssey 2001 and Nat King Cole with his songs Too Young To Understand and Mona Lisa.

At night time, as the ship sailed slowly through the Pacific, this pretty girl and I would stand at the bow of the ship, our hands stretched out and the wind blowing in our faces.
It was a hot August night and we could feel love was in the air.

A stunning sunset. A beautiful night with the most beautiful girl in the world, in my humble opinion.

Toot! Toot!

The ship sounds its horn saying 'time for bed!' (No funny business in those days).

While we are out to sea…

…the girls in the office have their feet firmly on the ground doing all the hard work.

Catherine, Marta and Monika have just returned from the AFRA congress on the Gold Coast.

But despite the location, it wasn't all fun and play. A lot of work and study was done. It's all about improving the safety and efficiency of the removals business. There's always new laws and regulations to follow and we're doing everything we can to stay on top of things. Good work girls. Welcome back!

Shaun and Ken - you deserve a big round of applause. These two have just received a big award for the best team. This time it's the team from Queensland and it's their time to shine!. Take a bow men - well done!

And even more good news - the arrival of a new baby! Congratulations to Joao and Gabriela for their beautiful baby daughter Nicole.

Thankfully, our cruises always had a happier ending than Rose and Jack from the Titanic. The odds of hitting an iceberg in the Pacific is pretty slim.

This month we will be celebrating our 35th wedding anniversary. I am a very lucky man to have found the perfect woman. I must admit - I am not the easiest person to get along with. To my beloved Cheryl - a toast to you, a toast to us.

We now have 3 daughters and twin grand daughters. And, soon, very soon, a new arrival will be upon us.

But let me not forget my son-in-laws.

Hey Richard! It's your wife on the phone!
Dinner is ready!
BBQ tonight and maybe a glass of red
What a woman, what a cook…
Now everyone - I really must get moving!

Richard Kuipers
Two Men and a Truck (Australia) Pty.Ltd

Set your alarm clocks men. It's going to be an early start!

Now come with me for a brief trip back in history…

Back in my old home Holland, my grandparents lived in a big house and they were always immaculately dressed. They would sit in the lounge with an old clock ticking on the mantle piece.

They looked old, they acted old but, in actual fact, they were only middle-aged.

For his 70th birthday, my grandfather was presented with one of the very first television sets in Holland. This was a huge event followed by regular events that took place at his place every night at 8pm where family, friends and neighbours would gather ‘round to watch the news. My how things have changed, hey?

But still, the clock kept on ticking…

Ya know guys – I love my work. I can’t think of anything worse than retiring. I don’t leave work until 7pm and I get here at 7am! But I just love it.

I’m fortunate to be a member of several associations and I get to go to regular functions and events and meetings.

I’ve got an opinion about all of this. Can I share it with you?

Guys, you’ve got to show your face. You’ve got to network. People have got to like you and they’ve got to trust you.

In my years in business that’s what I’ve learnt and I stick by it. It’s hard sometimes. Meetings upon meetings. But I make an effort because I know I’ve got to be involved. Everyone should be involved in what they’re doing.

Take flying – I play bridge with Bill every Friday then we go flying one morning a week so I get to keep my pilot’s license. It’s not a chore. It’s my passion. I love it!.

And do you know something else? I go to the gym 4 mornings a week. Some of the time I exercise while I’m there too… :)

As the saying goes – times flies when you’re having fun. Boy, I have a ball.

Speaking of time. You know my grandfather’s clock – it’s still ticking… in my lounge room.

OK now – back to the office!

This month it’s my great pleasure to introduce two new members to the office.

Drum roll please !

Tess – she is David’s daughter. After school she comes and helps with the office duties. Tess is a young girl with a bright future. She’s a gem! Thanks Tess.

Lowami has started on the front desk. She’s taking the bookings and she’s helping our precious customers. Great work Lowami… !!

Everyone… HATS OFF for Monika in Queensland !!

She has no time to relax. She’s updating training manuals and documents. She’s sorting out the day-to-day so that nothing goes astray.

Monika handles all the moves in Brisbane, Gold Coast and Perth and Monika will tell you – “It’s be impossible without my team of hard-working men who are always on time”
– you’re doing a great job guys.

Check out this month's picture – Filippe and Bruno moving a small pot plant into a garden.

Wait, before we’re finished with friends and family… we’ve got to say CONGRATULATIONS to Alex and Lina for their beautiful baby girl, Chantelle.

Now… FOOTY!!

South Africa. Weren’t they brilliant hosts of the world football. All of our men with their international roots were glued to the TV watching every kick and every goal.

Did you know – in the late sixties, I worked in Jo’berg for a large Angle American hotel chain. This was back in the difficult days of apartheid and huge political turmoil.

The American activist Jesse Jackson came to stay. Upon his arrival, I was told to give him a piece of paper stating that he was now an honorary white person.

Now that’s something that wouldn’t happen today, thank goodness.

Imagine – an American Presidential candidate being told that he needed different coloured skin

OK, a little less political now… we have made some exciting changes to our website and if you haven't already done so register your business on our new site www.companiesdirectory.com.au

OK – time for some fun…

Here’s this and next month’s special activity designed to help some poor folks who are really in need.

When you call to make a booking and mention our special we’ll ask for your favorite number between 1 and 6 and then we’ll roll a dice.

If it’s a lucky 1, 3 or a 5 then we will donate enough money to World Vision to buy a chicken for a family in need.

If we get a 4 or a 6 then we’ll donate enough for a duck.

But if we get your special number then we’ll donate enough for a piglet.

We will donate to World Vision on your behalf because we think this is a great cause to support and we believe in helping people. Then our friends at World Vision will send you the thank you card.

Ooops… looks like the clock has stopped ticking. Maybe it needs some winding…

And look – it’s time for me to get moving!

Richard Kuipers

July Newsletter

Fill up the tanks folks, we're taking another trip with TwoMen and their fearless leader, Richard - The Moving Dutchman!

Now wasn't it magnificent to see our beautiful Sydney Harbour on display for the return of our young hero sailor, Jessica Watson.

A huge flotilla on the water, planes and helicopters above… the city really put on a show

The water police were out in force and the harbour was surrounded by people all eager to get a glimpse of the returning heroine of the seas - the youngest sailor to navigate around the world.

In his welcoming speech, our previous Prime Minister said "What a girl!" and he called her a 'role model' for young people and an inspiration to us all.

But not long before that there was public outrage that she was allowed to undertake this trip at all.

People argued about the cost of rescuing dare devils from their adventures. Do you remember the French girl in her canoe? The Air Force and Marines had to come to the rescue putting lives at risk!

Who pays for all this? Is it us the taxpayer?!

But then what happens in international waters?? Do other countries com to the rescue?

Not great publicity if the Yanks are pulling one of ours out of the drink after a boating mishap… !

I wonder… is the safety of our kids not more important than fulfilling the dream of a young kid for a moment of glory and financial gain

What parent would allow that sort of trip to happen? But, then again, what parent could stand in the way of a child who dares to dream so big?

Rightly or wrongly, sports people are often looked up to. Often they're placed on a pedestal. For what? Because they can kick or hit a ball?

What about the professor who has given me near perfect vision? With his walls full of certificates and waiting room full of patients and his voluntary work operating and teaching in poor countries. I mean, these people should really be the ones that are seen as heroes. But it's not quite as exciting is it. I mean, to do those things you have to study!

Hmmm… I wonder who the hard working guys at TwoMen see as their role model…

"Gillian, am I the role model for our crew?"

"I don't think so Richard! You're the last one on the list!"

Apparently it's Bruno and his team. My survey of customers showed Bruno's standard of work is consistently excellent

Congratulations to you Bruno!! You deserve it mate! You won our team's award for excellence. The big trophy is yours and we really appreciate the hard work and effort you and your team provide every day.

While we're on the topic of congratulations I am going to congratulate the office team.

Even Martyn from in here dared to get the 'jab' in the name of good deeds. You really set a great example for us all Martyn by giving blood recently. The Red Cross need as much as they can get!

You know, I tried but they wouldn't take mine… full of Shiraz, they said… ?

Martyn… are you still there… I think he's fainted!

Now, I've got to get moving!!

Richard Kuipers

Oil the engine and grease the wheels!

We're about to head down the slippery slope…
Some call it the Golden Mile, others call it the Golden Smile but whatever language you choose you're bound to end up smiling in King's Cross! The Cross is a wild mix of prostitution and crime, night clubs and pubs, hotels, no-tells and casinos operating under the radar. This mis-adventurous part of the world lures visitors of all kinds and colours and characters, converging to get a taste of the Cross.

Have you been watching Underbelly?
Have you noticed the handsome, well built muscular barman at the Paradiso Bar??
Well ... believe it or not folks - that was ME!!
My first and only job when I arrived in Australia in 1972
"Get moving Richard! I need 4 beers, champagne for the girls and get me a carton of fags!!"
"Yes sir, Mr Freeman. Right away!"

Let me take you on a tour of the Cross ... back stage.
To get into these illegal casinos you would get checked at a keyhole "Mr Saffron, there's a funny looking drunk bloke at the door, says he's a friend of yours" "Let him in! He's a High Court Judge!" The police and the important people were treated like kings in the Cross. There were always secret handshakes and bags full of cash shuffled under tables. Cops, politicians and even judges were always in the mix The Whiskey Disco and Restaurant ... the chef's specialty ... and only dish - chicken and peas followed by apple pie. The fire escape was blocked with rubbish, drunks and bodies.
It was a scene alright!
Bikini girls dancing in birdcages mounted to the ceiling, American GI's on leave from Vietnam all filling the place with smoke from Camel cigarettes.
Even Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis made an appearance! What a night! Remember Johnny O'Keefe? He was another one who strutted his stuff and played a few songs for the crowd of underground revellers.
Well folks, that's it for the tour through history, under the cover of darkness in Kings Cross.

Now let's get back to business…

Do you know AFRA? - Australian Furniture Removalists Australia

They're the ones that keep the industry honest.
Our good man Viv, the Executive Director, came by for his annual visit.
Viv, The Godfather of moving, came and inspected all our books, manuals and procedures and gave his kiss of approval :) AFRA does a fantastic job keeping us removalists in line. Their rules and regulations keep our industry safe and ahead of the game.
Thanks AFRA, our customers are the real winners with you guys around.

Now a quick word about our men…
Our honest, hardworking men - always on time, the best removalists in town. Never a parking fine, never any trouble Good work men, we take our hats off to you all.

Check out our new website:

www.companiesdirectory.com.au

Till end of June 2010 FREE LISTINGS.

"Hey Richard! The cops are here.
They want to talk to you!!"

Now, I have to get Moving :)
Hide the still Girls

Richard Kuipers


Reference:

• en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abe_Saffron
• en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Freeman
• www.johnnyokeefe.com

Pop the hood, check the oil. We're off and racing again!

While travellers have been grounded around the world, not even a volcano could keep the Red Bull flying machines on the ground. Yep, the Red Bull Air Show was on again. Those mad men and their mad loops, spins and stalling tricks were an amazing site to see over the Swan River in Perth. What a show!! Now men, put your nose to the wind, full throttle and trim your flaps - T.ango M.ike. A.lpha A.lpha T.ango and we are ready for take off. May is dead ahead!!

Now that we're at cruising altitude, we invite you all to move around the TMAAT cabin.

If anyone feels like they may be experiencing any discomfort just press your buzzer and Catherine or George from our friendly team will be right with you.

Congratulations to these two members of our fantastic crew for recently completing their first aid course (No George, I don't need the kiss of life!!)

Taking care of the first class cabin is our National Operations Manager, Sean.
Sean has just finished his course in OHS, International Packing and Quoting at AFRA.

Well done Sean!

If your laptop computers are within reach we invite you to enjoy some inflight entertainment.

Check out our new website:

• www.companiesdirectory.com.au

What a job that was!! We've come a long way since we first appeared online. We think you'll love this new site. This site is an Australian Companies Directory. You can now promote and advertise your business on the site and it's totally FREE!! This new site is designed to support all of you who are so kind to support us.

A very high-flying thank you goes to Chris for all of the effort and hard work he put into this to get it off the ground :)
Thanks Chris. You're a star

Next time you choose to fly how about making it a JOYFLIGHT??
We know just the place…

Curtis Aviation in Camden

The friendly team of pilots out their can take you for a loop-the-loop or maybe just a scenic flight over Sydney Harbour or even better… take your own flying lessons!! One of their gift vouchers might just be the perfect gift.

• craig@curtisaviation.com.au
• or phone 02 4655 6789
• www.curtisaviation.com.au

Just mention me, the "Flying Dutchman" for a special deal.

Now folks, please return to your seats with your safety belts fastened.

It's time for me to bring this big bird down to ground It's been a pleasure having you on board and we look forward to flying with you again at TMAAT very soon.

OK folks. It's been a great race but you go ahead and take the honours. Our customers are the winners here.

Now, I've got to get moving!

Roger that!!

Richard Kuipers

And we're off and racing...
it's not just the F1 heroes that are going fast in March.

The Two Men crew is FLAT OUT

But while our engines are whurring, it's probably the perfect chance to let our ladies take a bow.

Despite our name, you might be surprised that the real engine that sits behind our company are the ladies that run it.

No nonsense works with these ladies, no excuses either!

Even Superman needed his Lois just like our boys on the road need our girls in the office to keep them on track.

Pow Bam Zap Kazowee.

International Woman's Week happens in March so we want to jump on board with a well deserved round of applause for the better half of our team - thank girls!!

Where would be without 'em? In absolute chaos I think. Men, whether it's in business or not, you've got to look after your women. Ladies, take another bow.

It's not everyone's cup of tea
but I had a real hoot at the Gold Coast Bridge Congress last month.

www.qldbridge.com/gcc

I got to present the Two Men and a Truck Intermediate Trophy for the very first time. Congratulations to the winners. Your names will be on the plaque for the whole year at the Gold Coast Bridge Club and forever emblazoned in glory :)

It was a great event with over 2,400 players. So the winners deserve every bit of their praise. Well done guys!

Now, back to the ladies. You girls are so terrific and it's not just the ladies in the office. Do you know that well over 99% of our bookings are actually made by the better half of the species? That's right - you know who's calling the shots, don't you!

But this time we want to acknowledge the amazing team at the Finishing Touch, particularly the girls that do the packing. What a wonderful job they do and it's such a special and important task. Big thanks to Susan and her team down there. Great work guys!

Alright, alright boys ... you're next, relax.

Chris. You and your team (Anthony and Dan ) made the front page!!

Well, the front page off our web site at least. Chris, it's been a big 15 years with you. Thanks a lot mate. Time flies when you're having fun hey?!

Well, don't forget to go visit Barrusio Pizzaria in Northbridge. They make a fantastic spaghetti and Pizza.

Mention our name and you will get a big surprise.

• www.borrusos.com/home.php

Now, we are just coming into the last corner before the victory lap ... vrrrooom!

Finally, our April Special... what about your 10% off on Tuesdays.

Just take the day off work and save a packet.

OK folks. It's been a great race but you go ahead and take the honours. Our customers are the winners here.

Now, I've got to get moving!


Richard Kuipers

This month is all about celebration so we have a special surprise for any of you with a move looming on the horizon. Stay tuned ...

Australians are a fantastic bunch. We embrace our multi-cultural population with gusto!

If you spent any time in your local Chinese community in the last three weeks you probably would have seen fireworks, dragons and people dancing in the street. Welcome to the Chinese new year!!

We got into the spirit at 'Raymonds' - our local Chinese restaurant and we were reminded about the good luck symbols that are part of the Chinese culture. Everyone needs a bit of good luck because life is short and we should celebrate every occasion - another thing us Aussies are good at ... !

Well, it's still hot. That's for sure. Was that 42'C I felt the other day ?? How ironic, our boys here at TWO MEN are feeling the heat while our boys and girls in Canada are zooming around in the ice and snow!! Go Aussies!

We are very lucky to work with a great team and I would like to introduce you to this month's TWO MEN winning team from Brazil - Lucas, Daniel and Henry.

Lucas, the team leader, has been with us for over 4 years (Go Lucas!!).

Our guys know that you, the customer, always come first at TWO MEN and they love to look after you and your gear when you move!

Don't worry. I haven't forgotten about your special surprise...

Round of applause for Sean Maycock who's just been put in charge of OH&S and Customer Service (clap, clap, clap).

Sean is a TWO MEN veteran. With us for 15 years, he'll now be keeping us on the straight n' narrow with all of the regulations we have to follow.

You may not all know this but we're AFRA Members through n' through. This means that we stand behind their code of conduct and their standards. All designed to make your move safe and reliable. Just how it should be :)

Customer Service is always under our spotlight. We love to get a bit o' feedback from customers.

To make it more measurable and easy for you all to participate, we'll be sending out our unique customer surveys by email now rather than doing them on the phone. Top points for efficiency guys!

OK, OK .. here it is - your special surprise ...

Got a move coming up? Well, save some of those rare notes and coins. Get your move done on a Tuesday
and save 10%. THIS IS FOR BOOKINGS COMPLETED FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH.

That'd be another good reason for a day off work wouldn't it ?

That's all for now.

Everyone, thanks a lot for all your support.

Best wishes to you all.

Now, I've got to get moving ... :)

Richard Kuipers

Can you feel it?

There's a great energy in the air. Everyone seems to be looking forward to shaking some '09 blues away and getting back on track after a pretty tough year.

Two Men have been racing to keep up with it all and we've had an extremely busy period with everyone moving during the holidays.

We just want to take a minute to thank our men who have coped with the silly season amidst the incredible heat. You've done a fantastic job guys. Take a bow (and a beer).

It'll be a short rest though. February is set to sizzle!

Speaking of sizzling ... have you seen our website recently?? It's a moving feast (pardon the pun!).

You can now follow us on Twitter and become a friend of ours on Facebook. Can you believe it ...? We received over 1,000 tweets and clicks from all over the world in just 3 days!! Thanks everybody (... never knew we were so popular!).

Here are some links for the fans :)

• www.twomen.com.au
• www.twitter.com/TwoMenAustralia
• www.facebook.com/pages/Two-Men-and-a-Truck-Australia/287053420960

Now for a bit of fun...

Fancy a game of Bridge?

Well, join us at the 49th Gold Coast Bridge Congress from 27 February - 6 March. Two Men are sponsoring the event which is always a lot of fun on the coast. Have a look:

• www.qldbridge.com/gcc/sponsors2010.php

On a final note. We want to send our thoughts and best wishes to the victims of the Haiti disaster. Whilst we are safe and sound in our houses here we can all be extremely thankful for our good fortune.

Thanks very much for your time. As always, we wish you well.

Now, it's time for me to get moving... !

Richard Kuipers


PS Hey, Perth will be up and running very soon. Keep your eyes peeled and your ears to the ground...

A Christmas message from the team at Two Men and a Truck…

We would like to take this opportunity to wish all of our friendly customers the most Merry Christmas and best wishes for a brilliant year in 2010.

A lot of people are happy to see the back of 2009. It has been tough for many. We're incredibly thankful for our good fortune. Two Men have had a great year and we want to pass on our most sincere thanks directly to you, our customers.

2009 has seen us open our new Melbourne office and in the new year we're heading west to open our office in Perth.

Also, 2010 will see us launch an amazing new service - our Home Mover's Catalogue where you will be able to purchase all of your household goods directly from us at the country's best prices and delivered free to your door anywhere around Australia.

Plus, this new service will include the ability for our customers to have all of their goods picked up and sold on eBay during, after and well after their move. Stand by for more on these amazing new features.

Christmas Operating Hours

Our offices will be closed from the:

25^th December to the 28^th December
31^st December to 1^st January

Outside these dates normal operating hours will apply.

Let me finish up on a valuable little note for anyone with storage requirements:

We have a January special for any customers who would like to take advantage of our storage facilities. This is in Sydney only.

We will store a 20 foot container with all of your precious goods inside for only $195 per month (minimum 3 months). Get in quick. If everyone jumps on this at once we could run out of space!!

Just before signing off for another big year I just want to wish you all the very best for 2010. We have loved serving you this last year and look forward to working with you again very soon

Now, it's time for me to get moving !! :)

Discount Voucher

Our men are ready for action.

Christmas is always the busiest time of the year, with everyone rushing to get set up in their new homes before the New Year.
If you are planning to use our services during the festive season I suggest you call us as soon as possible, as spots are filling up fast.
Whether you need to move a whole home, some stuff up to your holiday house for the summer, or just a BBQ for your Christmas lunch, we have the right vehicles and teams to help you.
All our men will be working throughout the month, with the exception of Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day.

Packing Services

With time at its poorest during the festive season, getting yourself organised for your upcoming move can be a daunting task. Our packing and unpacking services can help alleviate the stress of moving. Our ladies are fully trained to pack your precious belongings to ensure they travel safely to your new home, and they can even set up everything in your new home once the movers have finished. Leaving you with plenty of time to do your Christmas shopping!

Box Hire

Our long awaited Online Box hire service has been launched!
Ordering boxes has never been easier. Just use our easy online booking system and all the boxes and packing materials will be delivered to your door, and when your done with the boxes we will come and collect them.
Special offer: With all box orders made online you will receive a $20.00 voucher to be used towards our removal services.
For more details on our Packing Materials please go to www.twomen.com.au

Interstate

We have interstate trucks driving between Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne.
Plus we do pick ups and drop offs along the way. Give us a call for a quote or complete our online volumes guide.

Need Storage

In Sydney and Melbourne we provide our very popular container storage service. A container truck simply comes to your door, we fill the container, store it and bring it back when you want it. This saves all the hassle of putting it into storage and taking it out of storage. Plus its saves you the cost of double handling all your goods.

Need to declutter! When you only have a small amount to store we have half size containers too (only in Sydney at the moment)

From all the team at Two Men and a Truck we wish you a very Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year!

Home buyer show on this weekend

Sat 31st Oct Sun - 1st Nov
Sydney Exhibition Centre

We have 10 free tickets to give away.

Please click here and fill out your details.
Winners will be drawn on Wednesday and tickets sent by express post.

Don’t forget the busy season is approaching!
Make sure you allow 2-3 weeks to secure a booking.

"Win a Sydney Scenic Flight for 2!" - first edition is finished!

CONGRATULATIONS to our first winner of a Scenic Flight for Two over Sydney. Look to the skies of Sydney and you might see our first winner Liz of Cremorne, NSW.

Thank you to everyone that entered.

If you didn’t win this time don’t despair, due to the overwhelming success of our first competition we have decided to re-launch this great prize package.

For those of you who don’t reside in Sydney, or are afraid of flying we are offering a moving voucher, up to the value of $500.00 that can be used for any of our fantastic services in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane or the Gold Coast.

Just CLICK HERE to enter. It’s quick, easy and best of all free to enter!