VALE – Sergio Casotti

SERGIO CASOTTI PASSED away on Tuesday the 4th of May. Serg came from Italy in 1954 and charmed Angela to become his lifelong partner. Six children and many grandchildren survive him. Well known throughout Australia, Serg was an innovative and successful transport entrepreneur. He is remembered as a charismatic, captivating and handsome father and grandfather.

In 2013, Serg was inducted into the Shell Rimula Wall of Fame and below is an extract from this.

When Serg arrived from Italy he had no employment prospects and few resources. He began work shortly after with a local sanitation company. There was no deep sewerage then and it was dirty and back breaking work.

From 1960, Serg operated as a log haulier but in 1965 changed to hauling general freight for Thomas Nationwide Transport (later TNT) where he drove his single drive International between Perth and the east coast. In 1969, Serg became the TNT WA Operations Manager and as a side business he operated a Mr Whippy style ice cream truck on the weekends but laughs that the six kids ate all the profit.

In 1971, Serg left TNT and started Ashburton Xpress Service with a G89 Volvo. He operated a service up the various remote mine sites starting to form up in the Pilbara region. With a growing workload he had a building/depot built at Sheffield Road, Kewdale where K&S have been located for many years. The company grew into Interstate Transport and in 1977, Sir Peter Abeles contacted Serg and in his European accent and asked, “Casotti, you going to sell to me”. Abeles brought Ashburton Xpress and Serge became TNT WA General Manager for the next 14 years.

In 1991, Serge formed WA Freightlines in a small shed in Welshpool and at 54 years of age, he was no longer on the road but spent his days driving the forklifts, tarping loads, writing manifests, quoting jobs and liaising with customers. His loyal customer base ensured WA Freightlines success and recognition as a well-respected transport service provider who provided a well maintained modern fleet with consistent travel times.

Serg sold out in 2004 and retired to Surfers Paradise until he and Angela returned to WA in 2008.

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