| Media item | |
| | Morrows judged state best | Warracknabeal Herald,
Warracknabeal
by Tayyaab Masroor And Samantha Smith
| 19 May 2023 | | General News - Page 1 - 483 words - ID 1853545307 - Photo: Yes - Type: News Item - Size: 893.00cm2 | |
FROM humble roots in Warracknabeal, Morrow Motor Group has beaten its biggest regional rivals to take out a prestigious state award, and the family couldn't be prouder.
Based in Warracknabeal, Kevin and Barbara Morrow started the company in 1974, partnering with Holden and trading under the name Amor Motors and Aubrey Trucks.
Gavin Morrow joined the family business in 1982.
In 1986 Gavin's brother, Shannon, expanded their operations into car sales in Horsham.
Gavin wrapped up their Warracknabeal premises and joined his brother in Horsham in 2005.
Kevin passed away in 2014, but Barbara still resides in Warracknabeal and said she was very proud of her children.
"We were farming in Warracknabeal, but Kevin was also doing a little truck business at the side," she said.
"He used to buy the old trucks, wreck them and sell the parts, but sometimes he repaired the trucks and sold them." Mrs Morrow said the business has received a few awards over the years, but this is their first award at a state level.
"It's a massive achievement which makes the family, and business, proud," she said.
Morrow Motor Group was presented the Automotive Industry Award in the Best Large Regional Automotive Business category of the Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce - an honour which more often goes to much bigger operators - at Crown Melbourne on Saturday.
Gavin Morrow said he was shocked to have received the award.
"We were happy just to be finalists," he said.
"We're up against the big centres like Mildura, Ballarat, Bendigo and Shepparton - not just up against the car dealerships but also competing with the automotive businesses, including panel shops, mechanical shops, tyre centres and electricians." Mr Morrow said the late 1980s and early 1990s were challenging times for the company, along with the Millenium Drought and Covid.
"It was very tough financially, because the farmers weren't making much money so they were not spending," he said.
"Early Covid was super tough because the sales side was not allowed to open.
"But coming out of Covid - it's been fantastic." Mr Morrow has dedicated the award to the efforts of his staff.
"They're the engine room," he said. "We're very proud of all our staff.
"Our entire team contributed equally in receiving the honour because they're the ones that run the business." Mr Morrow said the judges were particularly impressed with the VIP customer program.
"Anyone that buys a new or used car from us, we give them an automatic entry into the VIP program," he said.
"They get car wash tokens, free loan cars and a discount on the service charges when they get their vehicle serviced with us.
"Giving a lot back to the community is one reason why people come here."
Caption Text:
Gavin Morrow, son of Warracknabeal's Kevin (dec.) and Barbara Morrow with the prestigious VACC award the company received on Saturday. Photo: TAYYAAB MASROOR
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