30 years can seem like a long time in life. If you cast you mind back to 1989 the world was a very different place. Bob Hawke was the Prime Minister, Bond Corporation had gone into receivership with the then largest debt in Australian history, Gaby Kennard became the first Australian woman to fly non-stop around the world and Australia had regained the Ashes for the first time on English soil in 40 years. It was also the year a small mechanics shop was set up in Oberon that would go on to become a stalwart of the community.
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P&G Varlas Automotive was originally set up on May, 15 1989 after local resident Peter Varlas made the decision to try his hand at local business. Peter had completed his automotive trades apprenticeship with the Oberon Council and after becoming foreman, decided to start up his own workshop. Originally just run by Peter, his wife Georgia joined the team after the venture started to take off.
Georgia said that the support over the past three decades has been nothing short of amazing. "Having locals and also visitors support your business and leave with a smiling face and their problems solved is fantastic," she said. "Our customers are as important to us as we are to them".
When asked what their secret to such long success was, Georgia replied that there was no real secret, just hard work and good service. "I think friendly and personal service is still as important as it ever was. It's about doing the good job at a fair price and making sure customers are happy and come back," she said. "The current environment is really about keeping up to date with technologies and making sure all processes are efficient".
Our customers are as important to us as we are to them.
- Georgia Varlas, P&G Varlas Automotive
The family business has been located in its current premises for the past 18 years after originally starting out on Fleming Street. Georgia said that the business had a strong history but also a bright future. "Over the years we have trained a lot of apprentices and supported the local community through junior and senior sports and other activities," she said. "Our son Angelo is 30, as old as the business, and it's wonderful to have someone in the family and someone you can trust come through and be ready to take the business into the future".
This advertising feature is sponsored by the following businesses. Click the links to find out more.
- P&G Varlas Automotive
- Oberon Council
- Ray White
- Oberon RSL
- Royal Hotel
- Mawhood's IGA
- Mawhood's Mitre 10
- Oberon Pies and Pastries
- Barkers Butchery
- Wills Tyre Centre
- Oberon Video and Discs
- LJ Hooker
- Dark Red Frames
- Howard's Auto Port
- Oberon Industrial and Farming Supplies
- Oberon Farm Meats
- Arrow's Newsagency
- Moorhead Engineering
- Oberon Foodworks
- O'Connell's Transport
- Oberon Smash Repairs
- Pick of the Bunch
- Oberon Review