Another World /
The fascinating history and family behind Invercargill’s Transport World
Joc O’Donnell is undeniably one of the fiercest advocates for her hometown of Invercargill. Seeking to honour her father while also growing the city’s economic base, she has been the creative energy behind Invercargill’s Transport World Tourism Hub which, pre-Covid, drew over 50,000 people from around the country, and the world, each year.
IN 2013 WHEN JOC TOOK HERSELF OFF TO RUN A marathon in Paris, she also seized the opportunity to travel around Europe to visit the top museums. A seed of an idea was growing, and she needed to do her homework. She was on a mission to discover, by careful observation and plying the museum curators with questions, just what it took to create a world-class facility. Armed with her research she came back to Invercargill and set to work creating Bill Richardson Transport World which opened in December 2015.
The late Bill Richardson, Joc’s father, was a titan of the transport industry, creating the largest privately owned transport company in New Zealand. He also had a predilection for collecting vintage trucks and trucking memorabilia. Over the years Bill had happily shown his private truck museum, or ‘Bill’s Shed’ as it was affectionately known. Joc wanted to honour her father’s legacy, opening his collection to the public by creating a world-class home for Bill’s 150 vintage trucks and all his trucking memorabilia, including 100 petrol bowsers. Joc also knew from her father’s experience that such a facility needed to have something for everyone. Bill had realised one day after guiding a couple around his sheds for three hours that the truckie’s wife was perhaps not as enthusiastic about trucks as her husband.
Immediately after Bill Richardson Transport World opened and just when Joc thought she was owed a holiday, husband Scott spied Tom Sturgess’ Nelson motorcycle collection up for sale. The synergy was not lost on the couple, so they seized the opportunity and purchased the bikes. Classic Motorcycle Mecca, housed in a beautiful heritage building they restored in Invercargill’s CBD, became the home for the 300 bikes and opened the following year. The trifecta was the opening of Dig This Invercargill in 2017,
New Zealand’s only heavy machinery playground. In the same year they opened boutique accommodation, The Lodges at Transport World, before expanding further in 2019 to include an event space, Transport World Events & Incentives.
The evolution of these facilities was, of course, a huge logistical undertaking, but such developments were an opportunity for Joc to unleash her creative energy. The success of the hub is testament to her visionary talent. Today Joc loves overseeing Transport World and ‘pulling together the exhibits’. What has evolved through Joc’s careful direction and incredible eye for detail is an expansive centre that houses, to list just some of the exhibits: an ever-growing fleet of vintage vehicles (they’re now up to 300); a wearable arts display; a children’s Lego room; a replica of Bill Richardson’s own workshop and even a replica of Henry Ford’s first workshop. There is also a cinema with appropriately themed movies, such as Goodbye Pork Pie, and The World ’s Fastest Indian playing in rotation. A themed café, The Grille, and a shop round off what is on offer.
When asked if she has a collections policy Joc laughs
and says, ‘Oh no, that would be far too restrictive.’ Joc, Scott and their children have even caught the collecting bug. Their collections of Kombis, Citroens, Minis and racing cars are also displayed in the museum. Although, Joc does comment that there is a tight selection process now for new vehicles – they must be a ‘vehicle of significance’ to make their way into the collection with storage at a premium. For smaller donations, Joc only accepts them if she feels she can accommodate them and display them nicely. ‘I love being able to get the people who have donated the items back in to see the way their pieces have been displayed for all to enjoy.’
Key advice the curators gave Joc on her European trip in 2013 was to ‘make sure you allow for a decent event space’. She wisely adhered to this, and Transport World and Invercargill is the better for it. Joc has ensured plenty of space
where events and regular exhibitions are held, and she and her team have just brought together a very special exhibition, Tender Memories. The wedding attire of 20 Kiwi celebrities, as well as some of the collection of renowned bridal designer, Trish Peng, will be displayed – a reflection of Kiwi love stories. Joc is using the exhibition as a fundraiser for KidsCan with a portion of ticket sales going to the charity. The exhibition was launched on Mother’s Day with an intimate and elegant long lunch and will run through until September.
One of Transport World’s taglines is ‘Create memories at Transport World’ and Joc just loves watching people doing this as they wander through the displays. Joc is regularly down amongst the exhibitions talking with people as they reminisce. She loves those ‘Oh remember that …’, ‘I remember those …’, ‘My Nana had one of those …’ moments. The nostalgia and ‘trips down memory lane’ act as the impetus and inspiration for Joc to continue to create something distinct and unique.
Joc is regularly down amongst the exhibitions talking with people as they reminisce.