A true Aussie guy who would do anything for his family is how heavy haulage interstate truckie Luke Vella is being remembered.
The Penrith father and fiancé lost his life in a work accident in Western Australia on Monday night, October 21.
Vella leaves behind four children under the age of 10 and his high school sweetheart Bec Gillespie, who he was set to marry on their 15th anniversary in March next year.
“He loved camping, being out on the road, spending time with his family – that was the most important thing to him,” said Bec’s sister, Gabby Gillespie.
“He was extremely hard working and he wanted to give his family everything that he could ever give them.”
She explained that Vella met Bec in high school, and soon became part of their family.
“They always said that as soon as he saw her, he was head over heels, he fell in love straight away,” she said.
“They had their first kid when they were 20, and obviously they didn’t have much because they were young at that point, but Luke worked so incredibly hard to get them into a house for themselves and get them the cars that they dreamed of, and they kept growing their family.”
A GoFundMe was set up by the Gillespie family to help Bec navigate her new day-to-day and has already exceeded the $40,000 goal.
“Luke knew so many people that they’ve just rallied together to support Bec, and we’re trying to make sure that she doesn’t have to worry about anything except getting through each day as they come,” Gillespie said.
“He was the only one that was bringing in the income in the family, we are a bit worried about how they’re going to get by until the money comes in properly.”
The family are still in the dark about the circumstances of the two-truck collision at Leinster that claimed Vella’s life.
The investigation and medical examination are expected to take up to seven weeks to complete.
For those who would like to donate to the young local family, visit the GoFundMe webpage at https://www.gofundme.com/f/luke-vella.
Ally Hall
Ally Hall joined the Weekender in 2024, and focuses on entertainment and community stories. She's a graduate of the University of South Australia and has previously worked as a Video Journalist with Southern Cross Austereo and as a News Reader with Australian Radio Network.