This has been known over the years in Rotary as—One`s “ Life & Job Talk”. Well, here is a small part of mine. “Everyone has a story"
My journey commenced in 1936—The son of a primary school teacher and an electrical engineer father.
We lived on the western side of the Blue Mountains in NSW—My early recollections are of the valley of Lithgow being ringed with frightening bush fires—glowing in the dark. Nothing has changed.
WW2 commenced—this event affected every one at Lithgow. The nearby Small Arms Factory worked 24/7 manufacturing weapons for all allies of Commonwealth countries. The town population doubled and accommodation was quickly built to house extra munitions workers.
My primary school was also close to the Factory — So due to this proximity we had to respond to random practice air raid warnings — sirens— Run from the class rooms—and enter near-by deep slit ground trenches . These often contained rain water and mud .Enduring this in winter on cold frosty mornings , meant having wet feet for the remainder of the day.
Pressures at home were very real too, with constant after hours phone calls from The Lithgow Power Station for my father. Dad was the District Electrical Superintendent for NSW Railways. This Railway Power Station played a vital part in the WW2 war effort. It generated vital electricity for all of the Western field Coal Mines and the SAF , as well as the towns between Penrith and Dubbo. This power station was vital to the nations war effort. Worry, pressure and an uncertain future prevailed. There was a huge crescendo, when the Japanese submarines entered Sydney Harbour.
“The invasion had commenced” Wow—This was scary stuff for a little boy and the kids in the area. What a relief when the war finally ended and the troops came home. No more jumping into slit trenches for air raid practice
I discovered the monthly magazine “Radio and Hobbies”. This publication led me to building wirelesses—using parts recovered from low cost Ex-War disposal radio trancievers. I also tried photography developing and printing pictures and building model aeroplanes .
I also enjoyed, playing weekend tennis.
My Automotive Engineering interests commenced during the last year of High School 1951—I had School Holiday jobs at the Local Ford Franchise.
Boys leaving School having passed the Inter mediate Certificate took Apprenticeships—lots went to the SAF—I won an Apprenticeship at the Ford Dealership. I remained there until 1967. I gained membership to the IAME.
While Apprenticed, the 18 year old's National Service obligation interceded. This 3 month period at Holdsworthy Camp was my first time away from home. Interesting.
The total obligation for Army Natio`s was over 2 years, beginning with the 3 months basic training. There were weekly parades and annual camps that we had to attend. The local" Drill Hall” housed a Transport Company—and because of my auto experience, in a short time I got to sew on 3 Stripes. What a good idea—more tax free pay! The Manager of the Ford Franchise was a WW2 Major—a strong disciplinarian——He was a mentor—but a severe man. Young people would not relate to discipline such as this, to-day.
I joined APEX in late 1955. [ My total Service Club activities now add up to 61 + years. A way of life and for family members, too.]
At this time—and toward the end of my Apprenticeship Time, the Dealership principal sought assistance on Saturday mornings with writing up contracts for the sales of new and used vehicles. The Major gave me a huge break, in my career.
Often 6 or more vehicles would be sold on Saturdays in the mid 50`s. I then began selling, with unexpected success and profitability. I was moved onto sales permanently.
While still in the Army, I began to study for my first appointment. There was no RAEME officer in the Transport Company. Some how, my future life altered away from the Army, when Gay and I became engaged. She was training as a Nurse at Maitland Base Hospital.
The long road to Maitland over the unsealed Putty Road was rough and dusty.
Ford released the first Falcon models, just as our first child arrived in 1960 Life looked very bright, indeed. Then suddenly, the Government introduced a credit squeeze—Sales tax went to 40% on passenger cars and finance was greatly restricted. This stopped the Auto trade in its tracks.
There by an early lesson. Eventually the restrictions were eased and the market flowed again, after some 30 months. Mean while, the Major had resigned and moved on. I gained more responsibilities.
A long term mate in APEX and I renovated and rented 2 extra houses, each. We helped each other with the jobs. Bank funds weren’t available. Rentals were seven pounds per week, in those days.
The owners of the Ford Franchise decided to sell their business. The new proprietors were our strongest customers. They were Graziers and Coal Mine Proprietors. My roll in the business increased significantly. I represented the Dealership in negotiations with Ford Motor Company.
After some 3 years we decided to move on, find a business, and to work in our own enterprise.
Luckily, the Newspaper Transfer Committee in Sydney, allowed us to purchase a developing newsagency in the Woden Vally, Canberra. We moved and I then joined Canberra Woden Rotary Club . A new Club—it had been formed only some months earlier.
The Newsagency's value had grown many times over its purchase price during the 10 year period before we finally sold it. Newspapers were 3 cents each, when we bought Garran, in December 1967.
At this time, my interest in English Sports Cars was re-kindled, with the purchase of an MG TC basket case, which took 3 years to re-build. It was followed by 3 other TC`s. I still continue my engineering interests with this hobby.
After a break from Garran Newsagency, a new challenge was sought. A large Newsagency—an institution-- in Canberra city came on the market. The transfer committee choose us as buyers. It had a large permanent staff and 9 part time juniors——these were senior High School Students on roster. These young employees were great achievers and their role was very important to our business. It was an “Ego” thing for students in their senior year at Canberra High, to be employed at Cowen`s News.
In 1985, we opened a second Newsagency in Canberra City.
We ran both shops until 1988, when we sold out and moved to the Gold Coast.
We were holding strong Real Estate equity upon our arrival on the Coast. We then purchased a Management Rights that we considered could be built up. In 1989 an Air Line Strike, with another credit squeeze added in, caused the local holiday trade to dry up.
Luckily I had just been to New Zealand promoting the building as a holiday destination in Australia. Our trade remained at a high rate & eventually the local trade picked up. We were fortunate.
Unfortunately, we later discovered that there was a long history of bitter in-fighting, disruption & disquiet in the building's self elected Body Corporate Committee members.
This dis-quiet caused us great stress at the time when we sought the extension of our Management contract.
This was a bad time to be a President of Broadbeach Rotary Club.
The Queensland Minister for Lands dismissed the Body Corporate Committee members——They were in utter disarray. An outside accountancy firm was appointed to take over the committee's tasks. Revolutionary stuff.
Our contract was immediately renewed for a further 4 years. We continued to trade very successfully. Then after this second 4 year period, our contract in the Building was to be re-negotiated. Meanwhile, the Minister for Lands had ordered a fresh election of the Body Corporate Committee.— the same disruptive group regained control of the building. Utter ugly stress & dis-harmony continued within the building. Horrible.
Our lawyers made 2 presentations to the building owners for our fresh contract. The management rights business was trading very strongly—It was valuable, indeed. Twice the agitators on the committee would not proceed with our voted for contract.
The wording of the lawyer`s motion to the building proprietors was such that it could not be enforced.
This rendered our business valueless and caused the loss of this and our other holdings.
We endured a very tough time due to these lawyers. In the end, we engaged a fresh Law firm in Brisbane. We directed them to mount 2 actions in the Brisbane Supreme Court. We won the first action outright.
The second action ceased on the 3rd day of the hearing, when the original Lawyers sought to offer us a meager compensation.
This value was finally greatly increased and settled.
So ended our life of successful automotive training and commercial endeavours—our very productive Newsagent experience—our many most gratifying real estate meanders—and concluded with management rights and High Court horrors. It all heals in time.
Enduring the pressure in the witness box over 3 days, at the Supreme Court in Brisbane , at the behest of a barrister representing the Queensland Law Society, and the aggressive barrister employed by the Law firm that let us down, was an experience not many friends have endured.
This was our attempt to regain some equity & solace.
We have traveled—we are well—I continue with automotive interests—Our family and friends give Gay and I much joy---- And I still have my Rotary.----
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