| Media item | |
| | Dwyers driving to success for 125 years | | Bairnsdale Advertiser,
Bairnsdale
| 11 Oct 2023 | | General News - Page 6 - 601 words - ID 1949330270 - Photo: Yes - Type: News Item - Size: 989.00cm2 | |
The Dwyer family, along with friends, employees and motoring stalwarts, celebrated 125 years of business last Wednesday, reminiscing on the history of the now booming comp any.
Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce (VACC) preadent, Chris Hummer, acted as emcee for the celebration, while VACC industry policy advisor, Michael Mckenna, held aQ&A session with third and fourth generation custodians, Kevin and Anthony Dwyer "The business (Dwyers) keeps evolving, and that's the key to success," Mr Hummer said "Dwyers is VACC member number 35, having] omed the chamber in the turbulent year of 1943 VACC and Dwyers have stayed loyal to each other for SO years, not a bad effort" "Regional members will always remain special to VACC" Throughout the Q&A session, Mr Mckenna and both Kevin and Anthony Dwyer touched on a vanety of subjects, including some of the business's employees "I believe there's about 11 current slaff who have 10 years of service or more - what do you think has been the success for their longevity and for stayinghere for so long^1" Mr Mckenna said "We decided we were going where the world is going not where we'd love to think it was going," Kevin Dwyer said "We're realistic - we've been light on our feet" WHERE IT ALL BEGAN The Dwyers story started in 1S9S, when Jeremiah Dwyer built and opened a small shop m Nicholson Street, Baimsdale, where he operated as a general blacksmith and farrier By 1908, Jeremiah had marned Jane Giles, and his business was m full swing, with the building of buggies,] inkers, drays, wagons and carts keeping him busy In 1920, Jeremiah and Jane welcomed three children Kathleen, the eldest, marned Tom McMahon and had two children John and Micheal John, the middle child, marnedClare Suding and had two children, Kevin and Cannel In 1927, JohnDwyer siarts working with the family business on October 27, working for 43 years Disaster struck m 1929 with the Great Depression hitting hard, people who owed money to Dwyers paid their bills with home grown fruits and vegetables By 1939, the range of cars in the Dwyer's business was continuing to expand, however sales dipped after the start of WWII, which ended ml 946" The family connection was maintained in 1955 when John's son, Kevin Dwyer, started work mthe spare parts department By 1969, Kevin Dwyer marned Kay Jackson, from Sale, and the Nicholson Street ate had become too small for the thnvmg business, so the decision was made to move to a new ate on 93-101 Main StreetB aimsdale It was the end of an era m 19S9, after the 93-101 Main Street ate is sold and the buaness moves to part of the Errol Steward Ford ate at 449 Pnnces Highway opposite the B aimsdale H ospital In 1997, LuiMosele retires after 4S years He held aunique poati on at Dwyer's, covering all four generations By 2000, Dwyers had celebrated 100 years m business and dealt with the "Millennium Bu^' Fast forward to today and Kevin's son, Anthony runs the business, handing over the reins in 2009 Dwyers has opened a panel shop, Riviera Panels, and the Mazda, Hyundai and MG franchises, with a brand-new facility for Mazda and Hyundai expected to be :omplete in N ovember
Caption Text:
president, Chris Hummer, Anthony and Kevin Dwyer, and VACC industry policy advisor Michael McKenna.
Kevin Dwyer with wife, Kay.
Anthony and Kevin Dwyer had a bit fun during a Q&A session with VACC's Michel McKenna.
A generous crowd gathered at Dwyer's 125 year celeb ration event, with family, friends and employees of the past and present joining in the anni'ersary commemorations.
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