Ray Gilleland's formative years were moulded by the Depression and World War II. As a young man with dogged determination and some luck he pioneered the interstate road transport revolution in Australia, first between Melbourne and Sydney and then Sydney and Perth. The road across the Nullarbor in those days was a sandy track or, in parts when it rained, a yellow muddy canal. He was also one of the first to help build and operate a low-loader car carrier.
At 70 years of age he hired himself out as a car delivery driver in the United States, having a bit of fun and enjoying new adventures while traversing the entire country. He is now living in Australia.