How did you get started in the industry?
Grew up in West Pennant Hills with Dad working in what seemed like then a huge shed at home and would often wake up at night to look out and see Dad and his cousin Terry working on cars. Council finally got on to him and so he rented an old chook shed in Dural. During school holidays I would go out with Dad and spend my days learning to drive cars, shoot an air rifle, sweep dirt floors, pick up morning teas and lunches and sometimes help the beaters and painters.
So many stories I could tell, it could fill a book. In year 11 we did up my first car, a HB Torana. By the time I finished year 12 we had bought and sold about six cars and I had a red MGB which was pretty envied around the school yard.
I did think about being a marine biologist for a short while until the movie Jaws came and decided it was best to stick with what I knew. I was a fourth year apprentice working in our North Rocks shop when the manager decided to go overseas. Dad simply said ‘you look after it’. Not sure how badly I ran the operation but it was a lot of fun and did learn a lot. Moved back to the main shop in Seven Hills as an estimator and production manager and was lucky enough to get invites to attend industry tours to Europe and the USA which included training at the Chief College.
What do you do now?
I retired officially last year but realistically our son Daniel took the reigns when COVID hit back in 2020. I still work with I-CAR presenting virtual courses and doing the Steel Welding Certification at SAPE in Sydney, which I really enjoy. Lately I have been working with Car Craft Group delivering estimating Seminars here in NSW and interstate. There is a huge need to update the way we think about estimating with all the challenges facing the industry.
Apart from that I enjoy riding my Adventure bike with friends, skiing in the winter but most of all spending time with our grandchildren.
What do you like most about the industry?
It has to be the repair process, seeing the damaged car roll in and planning the estimate. Then seeing it stripped down measured and aligned and the new panels welded in place and dressed. The beaters always had competitions to see who could do the best sealing job. I always thought it a shame when the first coat of primer went on because all their meticulous work got covered up.
What do you dislike most about the industry?
That’s an easy one. The answer is having to make a profit. At a Christmas party years ago I looked out at all our employees, sub-contractors, suppliers and their families and realised they all depended on me to make the right decisions to keep the business operational, so it has to be profitable. So many things can work against you, it’s a really tough gig sometimes.
Who do you most admire in the industry?
I don’t think just one person could take credit for this question. I’ve seen so many talented repairers, trainers and business people but Terry Flanagan has always been high in my esteem. The way he works so hard and his dedication, it’s a goal I don’t think many others could achieve.
Cars! tell us - first car, current car, dream car?
I did mention my first car was a HB Torana and my current car is a 300 Series Sahara. Not sure if I have a dream car but the one with some very fond memories was an old sandy coloured 2 door KE10 Corolla. We put a later model engine in it and fitted some Mazda 626 wheels on it. It would do 95 miles an hour and slide corners in third. It was as ugly as sin and never let me down or needed a wash.