A grand total of 150 trucks, of differing sizes and eras, progressed from Bomen to the city’s civic heart.

Starting at the saleyards, the convoy made its way through North Wagga, into Trail Street, navigated the roundabout to Gurwood Street, through to Red Hill Road, onto Lake Albert Road and finishing in the main precinct.

“The trucks have come from all over to be here,” said convoy founding member Lloyd Wishart.

“There’s drivers from Victoria, Canberra, South Australia, Queensland, basically they’ve come a thousand kilometres from all directions.

“They’re very proud of their trucks, so they’ll drive them across the country, shine them up and off they go.”

Upon arrival in Morrow Street, the convoy made way for afternoon fair rides and live entertainment, with all proceeds going towards children’s charities, NETS and Ronald McDonald House.

Operating from Canberra, Newcastle and Wagga, NETS is an ambulance service for the care of ill infants.

“One of our truckies actually had to use NETS when he was younger, so we thought we’d get behind them,” said Mr Wishart.

Wagga’s NETS ambulance joined the convoy for its fifth annual drive this weekend.

”There’s two NETS drivers here in Wagga, and they’re both volunteers. The organisation is not government funded either, so they run on what can be raised,” said Mr Wishart.

In the lead up to the convoy, and over the course of the weekend in previous years, an average $8000 is usually raised.

This year, the aim was $10,000, with those truckies who had raised the most leading the convoy.

But aside from the funding’s enormity, truckies say they derive a separate pleasure from taking part on the route.

“I’ve been on these things since the beginning and it always brings a tear to my eye when I see all the kids lining the streets to wave us as we go by,” said Mr Wishart.

“I tell you, it’s a sight to see a grown truckie crying that’s for sure.”