Neville hands in his keys after 44 years

Starting with the business in 1973 Neville has seen the business change hands, change cars and change technology within the motoring industry as a whole. After so long he said he is retiring because he is tired and has been with the business forever.

“I’ve been in this game all this time and it is just time,” he said. “It just felt right.”

He said the tipping point for his retirement was when a mate of his who started with the business 25 years ago as an apprentice and worked with him for four or five years passed away recently.

“His ambition was to drive trucks, so he left and he drove a truck for a few years and then came back eight or nine year ago selling cars, he was here for a little while and then he went back driving trucks again.”

Neville said he came back to work in the service department as an advisor and had told him he was giving up the trucks.

“He said ‘nah, I’m back here for good,’ and three months later he passed away of a heart attack. He was only 41.”

The day after his friend‘s funeral Neville said he walked into his boss’ office and told him he would be retiring to enjoy the rest of his life.

“He was just like a son to us, it was really hard.” 

Neville said he’s had some great times, met a lot of people over the years and he’s been to interesting places.

“People like Brocky and that, rode around Oran Park, crazy stuff you know.”

According to Neville it’s harder these days with cars and the motor industry becoming high tech, he said it is a cutthroat industry.

“For an old codger like me, I’m only in my early sixties but you know, enoughs enough.”

He said he and his wife will enjoy his retirement with plans of travelling around the country and spending a lot of time with their grandchildren.

He and his wife have three kids and five grandchildren.

There was a farewell dinner at Elevations Restaurant recently where 17 previous and current staff with a total of 451 years of service and experience celebrated Neville.