MTA WA Motor April 2025

Celebrating Kostera’s centenary

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MOTOR

KOSTERA FAMILY LEGACY DESERVES CELEBRATING

With MTA WA Group CEO Stephen Moir

Welcome to the first edition of MOTOR for 2025. I hope you enjoy the content. Running a small business today is a challenging pursuit due to rising regulatory compliance, higher utility costs and the increasing scarcity and cost of labour. In 2025, we’re witnessing a significant increase in business closures, and speaking with those affected, the common sentiment is that “it’s just too hard.”

It is in that context that the milestone of 100 years of operation for Kostera’s Tyre Service in Kalamunda is such a major achievement and one which deserves recognition. In this edition, we share the story of Kostera’s journey.

Just consider this. In the wake of World War One, when horse drawn carriages were still common, a young Charlie Kostera (pictured left with his Buick taxi in 1937) started a garage with a bus and taxi service in what was then the outer suburbs of Perth. Just four years on, the Great Depression hit in 1929 – an economic catastrophe that lasted until 1939. Following that crisis the world was plunged into another

global war, lasting until 1945. Over the next 80 years, four generations of Kostera’s weathered numerous global conflicts, the 2007 financial crisis, and the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. Despite all these challenges, the family business has endured.

As a family-owned and operated business, Kostera’s has been an integral part of the Kalamunda community. The strong relationship between Kostera’s and the community has played a key role in the company’s continued success. This loyalty and support are at the heart of Kostera’s legacy, and I’m so very proud that for the past 40 years, they have also been a valued member of the MTA WA.

The Kostera story is one that all members should celebrate as it represents the very best of what the automotive industry in WA stands for.

Global uncertainty

The start of 2025 has brought global political uncertainty, marked by the commencement of the Trump Presidency and the impact this has had on the US economy. This includes the introduction of a tariff regime, much of which targets traditional allies. Adding to the unpredictability are the strained relations between Trump and Putin, along with Trump’s controversial plans to turn the Gaza Strip into a tourist resort. These developments have left many

Over the past eight years, the MTA WA has worked closely with the Premier and his Ministers to achieve several significant outcomes that have benefited the industry. We look forward to continuing this collaborative work with the Government over the next four years.

questioning the future, and only time will tell where this will lead.

At the local level, WA went back to the polls for the State election on March 8, and the common assumption was that while the Labor Government would be returned, the Liberal party could expect to pick up between 10 to 12 seats.

Roger Cook exceeded these predictions with another emphatic win, taking 43 of the 59 lower house seats, and while some have claimed the 20 per cent reduction in his majority is a negative, I believe it is simply a case of the system returning to a more normal basis. Roger Cook can clearly set his agenda now that the memory of Mark

McGowan is fading, and this is a good outcome.

Over the past eight years, the MTA WA has worked closely with the Premier and his Ministers to achieve several significant outcomes that have benefited the industry. We look forward to continuing this collaborative work with the Government over the next four years. Unfortunately for the Liberal Party, there isn’t much cause for celebration. They fell well short of the expected 10 to 12 seats, securing only seven. On the upside however, they have won enough seats to reclaim the role of Opposition Leader, with the Nationals securing just six seats.

TORQUE TIME / MOTOR

The Liberals failed to accurately gauge the mood of the electorate, leading to their core messaging missing the mark. WA has maintained the strongest economy in the country, with the best economic growth and employment outcomes. While there have been issues in healthcare delivery, overall, West Australians are not dissatisfied with the State Government and, as a result, are not inclined to seek change.

The Liberal case was not aided by the covert angst between the leader, Libby Mettam and the heir apparent Basil Zempilas. Despite protests to the contrary, we could all see where this was headed, and that Basil was simply biding his time. Basil knows that you do not want to go to an election as leader and lose it, and that you are much better to wait and let Libby take the hit. And it was a hit with just seven seats won.

I know Libby Mettam and she is a good, honest and hard-working person who I think has been very poorly dealt with by the Liberal Party. Following the election result, Libby had no other option but to stand down as leader, which is disappointing given the hard work she has put in over the past three years. Politics does not have a history of rewarding the hardest worker –instead, it’s all about positioning and timing.

Basil Zempilas positioned himself as the only candidate to take on the leadership and his timing has been perfect. How he fairs in his first term, not only as leader but as a member in

State parliament, will be determined over the next few months.

I think from Premier Cook’s perspective he can be very pleased with the result, and it will be a case of business as usual for Western Australia.

The Premier has announced his new cabinet with a reallocation of portfolios – most notably, Health, Police and Education. The key Ministers relevant to the automotive industry are the Deputy Premier, Rita Saffioti with Transport, Jackie Jarvis with Small Business, Tony Buti with Commerce, Amber-Jade Sanderson with Skills and TAFE, and Reece Whitby with Police and Road Safety.

Federal electioneering

At a Federal level, the date has finally been set for the election. Saturday May 3 is now locked in but it was hardly surprising that the electioneering had already commenced well before the announcement. The budget that was brought down on March 25 was very much an election budget and not a longterm plan for the future.

The deficits that were announced clearly show that the government has and continues to overspend. Government expenditure is now pushing towards 27 per cent of GDP and the only way to bring that down is to look at government revenue.

To illustrate why this is a problem, one only has to consider that if Australia was hit with another crisis such as COVID-19, the current budget situation would not

allow for any breathing space.

The Government will have no choice but to look at a reduction in expenditure and, unfortunately, will be looking to taxpayers which could be detrimental to businesses.

All sides of politics need to remember that Australian businesses and households have literally been put through the ringer as everyday costs skyrocketed. There has been no part of the cost of living that has become easier over the past three years.

I think that Australians are much better informed these days and are not so easily manipulated with promises of “easing the cost of living” as they once were. Economic pain has made us sceptical.

The reality is that while inflation has eased, prices for the basics of life are still high, and even the well paid are feeling the pressure.

It is common for a government facing an election to claim any good news as an indicator of their success. Inflation coming down is a good case in point. The reality is that the Government has not reduced the rate of inflation, it has come down because consumers have reduced their spending, primarily due to high prices across the board. The same argument applies to job creation. Aside from public sector jobs, it is businesses, not governments, that create jobs. However, in the upcoming election, you will hear the government take credit for the thousands of jobs created over the past three years.

Roger Cook stands as the exception in this regard. During the State election campaign, he made it clear that WA’s employment market had seen strong

ENROL NOW

growth “during his government’s term” but not because of his government. There’s a big difference between the two. There are two possible outcomes of the federal election. Option one would see Dutton winning and subsequently inheriting a huge budget problem. He will most likely lack the support of the Upper House, which makes governing difficult. Currently, the ALP hold 25 seats, the Coalition 30, and the Greens 11. If a deal

is struck between the ALP and the Greens… well, you can see the problem for Dutton. The other outcome is the very real possibility of a minority Labor Government working in partnership with the Greens – a scenario that should be of concern for WA. This alliance would harm WA’s economy through the introduction of Nature Positive Laws, increased mining taxes and greater union influence in workplaces. Greens leader Adam Bandt has already

begun negotiating with Labor, offering to pass a range of election promises in exchange for a deal. The terms of this deal remain unclear, but it is likely to heavily impact resource-rich states like WA the hardest.

While Federal Labor insists there is no deal with the Greens, tight election contests can make strange bed fellows. There is no doubt that the next few months will be interesting.

Brand perception challenged with Porsche EV

WORDS AND PICS:

STEPHEN MOIR

About four years ago Porsche made an announcement that caught many fans of the marque by surprise, declaring that they would be ceasing the production of a top selling model, the combustion-engine Porsche Macan, and replacing it with a full EV platform. Quite the gamble.

Representing approximately 20 percent of total Porsche sales, only the Cayenne is a more popular choice for the marque’s buyers. In 2024 Porsche delivered 64,517 combustion Macans and 18,278 EV variants globally.

A major reason for this decision is that in order to meet the increasingly stricter rules around CO2 emissions – and avoiding the financial impact of not doing so – Porsche needed to significantly increase their range of EVs and the Macan was the obvious choice. It is a challenging position for a performance car manufacturer because Porsche is trying to meet the needs of two discreet markets.

The traditional buyer of a Porsche is generally a car enthusiast, attracted by the theatre of the look, noise and performance of the car. It is the whole point of owning a premium performance car.

EV buyers on the other hand are focussed on factors such as environmental consciousness, technological appeal and, to a lesser extent in the case of Porsche, cost savings.

The challenges for Porsche include concerns as to whether current owners are ready to move to a pure EV platform, their potential concerns about the substantial increase in price and – the million dollar question – will the EV drive like a Porsche should?

So how have Porsche addressed this divide, particularly considering that they will progressively increase the brand’s range of EVs to include the Boxster and then the Cayenne in the next three years?

Australia took delivery of its first Macan EVs in late 2024. There are four models available, the Macan, Macan 4, 4S and the range topping Turbo. The new models come with a substantial price increase, the car featured in this test being priced at approx. $175,000 drive away or roughly $30,000 above its comparable combustion model.

I was fortunate enough to be able to spend a couple of days with the Macan 4S which is the mid-spec model.

From the outset, I should declare that I currently own a

2022 Macan S and I absolutely love everything about the car. Consequently, I did approach the EV with some scepticism.

At first glance, the Macan EV is stylish, has a great stance on the road with the options of 20, 21 or 22-inch wheels. It has daytime running lights where the older version’s headlights were located and, with the headlights now lower down, it arguably brings more of the Taycan styling to it than the existing Macan.

Overall, it is a very nice car to look at.

The other feature to note is that there are two charging ports on the car – one that handles both AC and DC charging and one that just does AC. The battery pack is a 100 klw and can accept a DC charge rate of up to 270 kW meaning that, with a rapid charger, the car will go from 10 percent to 80 percent in an impressive 20 minutes. Porsche publishes that the range of the Macan is 600 kilometres which would make it one of the longest on the market.

The car comes with a retractable rear spoiler, which the driver can either deploy or leave it to automatically adjust as the car picks up speed.

Internally there are some surprises. There are two screens as standard – you can opt for a third passenger screen if you want – with the curved 12.9-inch main driver’s screen providing all the key information across a range of options in a very clear and user friendly way. The second central unit is a 10.9-inch screen which contains access to the entertainment and driver assist options, with both Apple and Android connection very easy. I was able to connect my phone in a flash and the system immediately took me to my Apple system.

In the centre console is a sliding hatch that covers the wireless phone charger and there are also duel USB ports further back, albeit a little hard to access given their position. The centre console also houses air conditioning and seat heating options.

The interior is also a very nice place to be although, I think for a car of this price, leather seats should be standard and not a $3,000 extra. At a standard level you get artificial leather seats with a 14-way adjustment, allowing the driver to find the perfect seating position. That said, once I had the seat sorted, I did notice that the steering wheel wouldn’t raise to a level where I had clear view across the whole instrument cluster.

The Macan comes with a very impressive range of driver assists including active cruise control, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring and a massive head up display that provides all the essential information a driver would need, negating the need to look at the main instrument panel. I have to admit that when I first started driving the car the brightness and size of the HUD was distracting. However, with time to naturally adjust to this technology, it soon became a very useful assistance tool.

On the road, there is no mistaking the fact that this car is about 400 kilograms heavier than its predecessor. While you feel it, there is no doubt the Macan is quick off the mark and solid on the road. This EV drives like a Porsche should with firm and direct control, outstanding responsiveness and a sure footedness that gives the driver plenty of confidence.

The only thing missing is ….. the sound. The Macan is whisper quiet, but if you do feel the need to have some sound, Porsche have included a toggle in the settings to provide an emulated sound.

In terms of responsiveness, the 4S variant produces 380kW/516PS and using launch control will get to you

The challenges for Porsche include concerns as to whether current owners are ready to move to a pure EV platform and – the million dollar question – will the EV drive like a Porsche should?

100km/h in 4.1 seconds. Service intervals are two years or 30,000 kilometres with a three-year warranty period which, frankly when compared to other premium European brands, is disappointing.

Overall, the Macan 4S EV is a car that will grow on you as you grow into it. It is super-fast and responsive and does everything you would expect from a Porsche.

It will be interesting to see how sales go over the next year or so and, in the longer term, if Porsche’s gamble pays off.

WITH THANKS TO PORSCHE CENTRE PERTH.

INDUSTRY MATTERS

With Graham Cawley General Manager Membership and Industry Engagement

Industry forums focus on key issues

The MTA WA is changing things up this year as part of our strategy to include more members in the discussion around industry matters that are affecting business growth and effectiveness.

We are hosting a series of Industry Forums throughout 2025, bringing together professionals, experts and stakeholders from various sectors to discuss key issues, share insights and explore solutions.

The first of these forums was held in February and focused on the motorcycle industry. Hosted by MTA WA Membership Manager Luke Rowe, discussions included the future of motorcycles, off-road vehicle (ORV) areas, and e-rideable bike issues in Western Australia.

Members provided the MTA WA with valuable insights on several critical issues, including the need for more ORV areas, improved infrastructure, clearer regulations, and better rider education.

The increasing illegal use of imported e-rideables and modification kits for e-bikes is a major issue and discussions centred

around stricter enforcement of laws along with requests for a lowlevel motorcycle licence option and improvements to R-E class licence protocols.

Additionally, members expressed frustration with Department of Transport services, with calls for a dealer-focused service counter and licence plate delivery.

The next steps for the motorcycle industry sector will be the establishment of technical working groups to drill down on two key issues. One group will be tasked with reviewing the process to obtain the R-E class licence and the second group, following changes to NSW fair trading legislation, will review e-rideable legislative pathways In WA.

Membership Manager Melanie Pool held the second Industry Forum – this time with the focus on rental vehicles.

The forum served as a platform for insightful discussions on several important topics, including recovery processes for stolen vehicles, establishing a blacklist, updates from the towing industry and digital licences.

Members from the Western Australian Police Force participated in the event, providing valuable insights about stolen vehicles and the recovery process.

The MTA WA appreciates the input of everyone who attended the forums and we will continue to collaborate with stakeholders to promote positive change.

Follow-up events will be scheduled to keep members informed about the MTA WA’s research and progress on the issues raised during the forums.

Upcoming Industry Forums for commercial vehicles, licensed motor vehicle dealers and caravan dealers will be discussed in the next edition of MOTOR. Members’ involvement is essential for improving the industry sectors and we value all input.

New guides to help accident repairers

The Motor Trades Association of Australia (MTAA) and the Australian Motor Body Repairers Association (AMBRA) have teamed up with HWLE Lawyers to tackle the challenges collision repair businesses face.

To empower repairers in navigating the complex landscape of insurance demands, AMBRA has rolled out a series of guides, clarifying their legal rights against unreasonable or prohibited insurer requests.

• Guide 1 – Using Non-Genuine Parts

Outlines the legal rights and risks for

collision repairers using non-genuine parts.

• Guide 2 – Defective Parts

Outlines what rights and obligations collision repairers have when the parts they have used for a repair are found to be defective.

• Guide 3 – Repair Work and Insurance

Outlines what collision repairers’ legal rights and obligations are if repair work is started, despite not having a commitment from the insurer on what you will be paid or what has been agreed for ‘items on report’ or similar.

THE MTA WA IS DELIGHTED TO WELCOME OUR NEWEST MEMBERS

The long-awaited review of the Motor Vehicle Insurance and Repair Industry (MVIRI) Code of Conduct was released for industry comment on March 5, 2025.

Dr Michael Schaper’s independent review in April 2023 of the MVIRI Code recommended a rewrite to enhance governance, compliance, dispute resolution, and accessibility.

The Code Administration Committee (CAC) – comprising representatives from the MTAA and the Insurance Council of Australia – has worked closely with industry stakeholders to refine the Code and ensure it meets the evolving needs of the sector.

AMBRA, a committee of the MTAA, has also played a key role in providing subject matter expertise throughout the review process.

The revised Code aims to enhance clarity, fairness and effectiveness in several critical areas, including sanctions and penalties, assessment and estimation times, methods of repair and dispute resolution processes.

In addition to the updated Code, the consultation includes proposed changes to the governance structure and the formalisation of the CAC under an incorporated association.

An AMBRA informative webinar was held on March 13 2025.

To obtain a copy of the guides go to the MTA WA website Member Services/ downloads and forms or contact the membership team at 9233 9800.

Service Automotive

Engineering

Moto Max

Desert Caravans

Advance Motors WA

Dalson Mechanical

Bridgestone SelectSuccess

Fix Auto Rockingham

Global Auto Solutions

OTR Tyres - Geraldton Retail

OTR Tyres - Geraldton Commercial

OTR Tyres - Port Hedland

OTR Tyres - Karratha

OTR Tyres - Kalgoorlie

Goldfields Off Road

Vantage Motor Works

Drillspec Mechanical

Total Car Care

Mekvon Automotive

Dan’s Caravan Repairs

Welmor Car Sales

House Of Automotive

Carlisle Impact Centre WA

EV Charging Systems

Motor Mate WA

Performante Motors

Auto Masters - Mirrabooka

Fleet Integrations

The MTA WA and its business partners provide exclusive discounts on a range of products and services that aim to keep more money in your pocket and make easier to operate your business.

Pty Ltd

Autospark - Bullsbrook

Pulse Fleet Management

Rockingham Auto Centre

Eazybikes Australia

Daimler Trucks Geraldton

South West Yamaha

Perth Auto Centre

MW Autos

Vinyl Wrapz

CarWorld Autos

Supporting key industry people

The inaugural Auto Women event, held at Scarboro Beach Surf Life Saving Club last month, was more than just a celebration of the achievements and contributions of women in the automotive industry.

Paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable future, the event was also an acknowledgement that women continue to play a key role in the transformative journey our industry is undergoing.

By creating a more inclusive and diverse culture within the automotive industry, women are showing strength, innovation, and resilience.

The Auto Women brand was established in 2022 by the Motor Trades Association of Queensland (MTA Queensland) to provide a supportive environment for women working across all aspects of the automotive industry.

The brand launch in Western Australia signifies the beginnings of a unified effort in order to share resources, expertise, and innovative ideas which

will drive progress and create a more inclusive and equitable industry for everyone.

A highlight of the event was an empowering speech by Jodi Kerr, the first female President of the MTA WA and the first female president nationally.

Sharing her inspiring journey from starting in her family business at just 15 to leading a 100-year-old enterprise, Jodi’s story exemplifies resilience and determination.

Her leadership marks a historic milestone, inspiring the next generation of women in the automotive industry.

The event wasn’t just about discussions – it also celebrated the rich cultural heritage of Indigenous peoples. Participants joined Indigenous artist Tanya Mooya from Mooya Creative in a dot painting activity inspired by the Yarning Circle.

The Yarning Circle is a gathering where stories and knowledge are shared and connections are built. The artistic exploration symbolised storytelling, connection, and inclusivity, with attendees experiencing a sense of unity and inspiration.

The day also included group activities focusing on the key themes of innovation, diversity, industry challenges and work-life balance. These discussions underscored the importance of industry-led insights in driving meaningful change and was followed up by a questionnaire which gave

participants the opportunity to share their own personal insights.

The event would not have been possible without the support of key partners including the Commonwealth Bank, CareSuper and Bunnings. Our partners have demonstrated their commitment to empowering women through their attendance at the event and tailored initiatives, such as financial health checks and exclusive member benefits.

HELLA Australia, a champion of diversity and gender equality, showcased their support through innovative initiatives, and a video message from Molly Taylor, a trailblazer and major talent in the world of rallying, was very inspiring. Local businesses like Fremantle Chocolates and SenQuil added a touch of charm, while the Porsche Centre Perth dazzled attendees with a stunning vehicle display.

As the event concluded, participants left inspired and motivated, carrying with them the promise of a brighter future.

Industry stalwart continues growth

Amulti-million dollar investment in new facilities is testament to the success of Haulmore Trailer Sales and Rentals and owner Alan Moody’s confidence in the Western Australian transport industry.

Now into its sixth decade of operation, Haulmore has built a reputation as a leading Western Australian manufacturer of heavy transport equipment.

As well as designing and manufacturing trailers and equipment for outright sale, Haulmore also operates a rental fleet of more than 100 units, with about 70 percent utilised at any one time.

Guests at the official opening included the Mayor of the City of Swan, Tanya Richardson, City of Swan CEO Steve Cain and MTA WA Group Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Moir, along with industry leaders and Haulmore customers.

With a strong focus on building trailers designed for harsh Western Australian conditions, while also aiming to reliably achieve the lowest cost per tonne per kilometre, Alan is particularly proud of the on-going support of customers.

The Auto Women event was more than just a gathering—it was a powerful statement that women are not only a vital part of the automotive industry but also the drivers of its transformation.

The MTA WA looks forward to working with Auto Women, who together can pave new roads, break barriers, and build a legacy of innovation and inclusivity.

If you’re a woman in automotive and missed the opportunity to attend the event there’s still a chance to provide your valuable insights.

Officially opening the purpose built trailer rentals office and workshop, located next door to the existing Haulmore manufacturing facilities and offices in Hazelmere, Alan explained that it was many years in the making and an exciting milestone in the business’ history.

“Over the years, the increase in rental enquiries, along with the demand for purchasing our new trailers, has continued to increase,” Alan said.

“This new building and factory allows the rental side of the business to be independent, while at the same time giving us the space to increase our manufacturing capacity.”

“We must be doing something right because as well as the business continuing to grow, we’ve still got customers we’ve been looking after for 50 years,” Alan said.

Now in his 80s, Alan shows no signs of slowing down with this next chapter of the Haulmore story just beginning.

“I don’t come to work begrudgingly,” he states. “I do it because I love it.

“I love doing business with men and women of good integrity and I am I proud to be able to provide my fantastic team with the best possible environment to deliver the highest quality equipment.

“And that’s what this new facility represents – a commitment to continued excellence,” Alan said.

MTA WA President Jodi Kerr (right) pictured with MTA WA Group Chief Finance and Operations Officer Rhona Varkevisser (centre) and event MC Christina Morrissy

MTA WA Group CEO Stephen Moir (left) with Haulmore Managing Director Alan Moody at the openning of the new rental operations.

Celebrating the Class of 2024

The MTA WA Training student graduation evening for the Class of 2024 was a night filled with pride and recognition as the dedication and success of our learners was celebrated.

With over 200 guests in attendance, the event was also a showcase of the incredible achievements of the graduating pre-apprentices and apprentices.

Mel Greenhow, General Manager of MTA WA Training, opened the evening by acknowledging the exceptional efforts of the graduating Class of 2024.

“Tonight, we are here to celebrate the hard work, dedication, and successes you’ve achieved so far,” he said. “You are the future of an exciting and dynamic automotive industry.”

Last year, MTA WA Training achieved two significant milestones – training over 1,300 learners across various programs and being named WA Large Training Provider of the Year, the State’s highest training accolade. These accomplishments underscore MTA WA Training’s commitment to equipping learners with the skills they need to thrive in a constantly evolving industry.

Honouring outstanding achievement

A key highlight of the evening was the Trainers’ Choice Award, which recognises an apprentice who exemplifies dedication, skill, and a proactive approach. This year’s winner, Jake Ceravolo (pictured below receiving his award from Mel Greenhow), stood out for his remarkable

commitment, completing additional work at home after an injury and advancing his air conditioning units early to support his workplace.

“Jake’s resilience, politeness and determination has been truly inspiring,” said Mel, reflecting the pride of the trainers who selected him for this honour. “Jake’s journey exemplifies the qualities we aim to foster in all our learners.”

The success of the evening would not have been possible without the support of our valued partners, CareSuper and SP Tools. Their contributions help us provide meaningful experiences for our students and strengthen our training community.

As Mel reminded the graduates, the automotive industry is entering an exciting period of innovation and opportunity. With a qualification from MTA WA Training—Western Australia’s largest private provider of light automotive training and a nationally recognised, award-winning organisation—graduates are wellprepared to make their mark on the industry.

The evening concluded with group photos, prize draws, and a shared sense of accomplishment. On behalf of the entire MTA WA Training team, we congratulate all our graduates and thank everyone who contributed to this special celebration.

Here’s to the Class of 2024 and the bright future that lies ahead!

FURTHER INFO

MTA WA input integral to EV battery fire learnings

WORDS: PAUL ROBERTS

With considerable input from MTA WA Lead Trainer in electric vehicles Matt Wemyss, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) is now a little closer to understanding the best way to deal with an EV battery fire.

In June last year, DFES conducted a day long exercise at its Forrestfield training centre with the express purpose of burning a Hyundai Kona to the ground in order to establish a response guide to a major incident involving electric vehicles.

“We previously had very little knowledge on electric car battery fires and how we might handle a major incident if, for example, an accident happened in the Graham Farmer Freeway tunnel,” Senior Firefighter and DFES Learning and Development Instructor Ian Anderson explained.

“The big unanswered question was would the inbuilt sprinklers in the

tunnel be able to contain an EV fire and what would be some of the other implications such as toxic fumes or secondary explosions,” he said.

Without any vehicles available to DFES to enable a real-world drill, a call from Hyundai offering a brand new smoke damaged Kona for use in a training exercise was timely. The offer came with one stipulation – the car had to be completely destroyed.

“Once we had the car, there was still a lot of preparation work to be done including investigations into how we would approach getting the battery into thermal runaway,” Ian said.

The object of the exercise, officially titled Operation Bright Spark, was to replicate a real-world scenario whereby the impact of an accident had compromised the integrity of the battery. This would allow DFES to evaluate different response procedures as well as gaining new understandings

on exposure management, containment and environmental impact.

It was at this point that Hyundai put DFES in touch with the MTA WA and EV battery specialist Matt Wemyss, who was instrumental in setting up the methodology required to achieve the required DFES outcomes.

As it turns out, setting fire to an EV will definitely destroy the car, but does little to impact the lithium-ion battery.

“Hyundai had previously donated a car to the NSW Fire Service and they attempted to destroy the battery by firstly setting a fire underneath the vehicle and when that failed, throwing a heap of fuel inside the car,” Matt explained.

“The car burnt to the ground but the actual battery lived to survive another day due to the layers of protection above and below.”

In order to create a far more realistic scenario, and to ensure DFES gained the knowledge they were seeking,

Matt’s expertise was invaluable.

“We informed DFES that the best method was to pierce one of the battery cells creating a short circuit when the electrodes touch and thereby creating ever-increasing temperature spikes and flammable gases which in turn affect the other nearby cells.

“Basically the cell enters thermal runaway, resulting in the battery potentially overheating, venting gases, or, in extreme cases, exploding,” Matt said.

DFES subsequently conducted several controlled trials, piercing cells provided by the MTA WA in order to ensure the battery would consistently provide the source of the Kona fire.

“Matt’s knowledge was invaluable and I can’t overstate the help we received from him and the MTA WA in setting up this really important exercise,” Ian said.

The findings from Operation Bright Spark have seen a complete rewrite of the operational procedures involving lithium-ion battery fires, along with

the creation of some specific firefighting tools.

“Things that we thought we would do a year ago have been rendered obsolete now,” Ian said.

“Operation Bright Spark was designed as a data collection exercise as we were interested in discovering a range of things including how long the fire would burn, what type of toxic fumes would be released and what methods would be most successful in fighting the fire – be it water, fire blankets or chemical compounds.”

Explaining that the EV fire from the outside looked very similar to other car fires, Ian said that monitoring devices inside and outside of the car recorded a completely unique range of toxic chemicals.

Other findings included batteries continuing to burn even when completely under water and the likelihood of re-ignition once the fire appeared contained.

Following Operation Bright Spark, MTA WA Lead Trainer in electric vehicles Matt Wemyss (centre) was presented with a certificate of appreciation by Senior Firefighter Ian Anderson (left) and DFES Chief Superintendant David Gill.

While current PPC was sufficient to protect firefighting crews, Ian said it was obviously preferable to limit the potential exposure to vapours and heavy metals created by this emerging risk.

“Ultimately we have concluded that the best case scenario would be to let the car burn out, but of course, if the fire is in a residential area or blocking a freeway, this is not an option,” he said.

Having gained world-first data from the exercise, Ian said that everyday DFES was fielding questions from local and overseas stakeholders including fire and emergency services, health departments and regulators of building codes.

While there has only been one EV battery fire in Western Australia to date, and statistically very few worldwide, Ian says that emergency services are well aware that it will definitely happen and stakeholders need to be ready.

“We are getting daily jobs now resulting from lithium-ion batteries

on E-scooters and the like and our expectation is that as more EVs hit the road, and the original cars get a little older, there will be an increase in the likelihood of an incident,” Ian said.

“We’re expecting a 10 to 20 year lifespan with the the cars and batteries before we start seeing more problems and we are getting very close to that point now based statistics coming from other countries.”

However, as Ian explains, this important issue is not just limited to an EV fire on a metropolitan road.

“The increase in the use of lithium-ion batteries to store energy in a variety of applications has massive implications for the built environment and we are doing a huge amount of work to keep up.

“As the use of these batteries becomes more widespread in vehicles, buildings and large scale applications such as Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), we are concerned that standards and procedures for dealing with potential problems are not keeping up with the speed of change.

“We are definitely not anti-EV or anti-lithium-ion batteries, but they are an incredibly difficult item to deal with when on fire and unfortunately there is very little onus on the manufacturers to conduct these sorts of tests and provide information on how to deal with emergencies involving fire.

“Every response guide suggests phoning 000 or 911 so there is definitely the expectation that emergency services will know how to fix the problem when things go wrong.

Ian is quick to point out that this is not just an Australian problem –emergency services everywhere are scrambling to keep up with changing technologies resulting in this exercise garnering so much interest from around the world.

“Without the assistance of organisations like the MTA WA and experts like Matt in finding solutions to some of these problems, we would have no chance of keeping up with the new challenges we face on a day-today basis,” Ian said.

Kalamunda celebrates 100 year Kostera legacy

For 100 years, the name Kostera has been as much a part of the Kalamunda landscape as the steep and winding road that leads into the leafy green Perth hills suburb.

And the esteem in which the family’s name is held by the local community was very much in evidence on Sunday April 6 when the Kalamunda Historical Society hosted a large gala event to help celebrate the iconic business’ centenary.

Featuring a specially commissioned film on the history of the Kostera family in Kalamunda, the celebration also featured, amongst other attractions, a parade of historic

WORDS: PAUL ROBERTS

vehicles, including buses owned and operated by the family in years gone by, photographic displays, a memorial tree planting and a live outside broadcast by local community radio station, KCR FM.

An institution in Kalamunda, Kostera’s Tyre Service, as it is known today, was originally established in 1925 by Polish immigrant Kazmiex (Charlie) Kostera, operating as a service station as well as providing the local community with a bus and taxi service.

With oil and petrol obviously part of the family DNA make-up, Kostera’s Tyre Service is currently run by Charlie’s great grandson, Stuart (Jnr), with help from his father and previous proprietor Stuart (Snr).

“My grandfather’s family came to Australia sometime in the 1860s and they settled near Clare in South Australia in a place called Polish Hill, so named because of the number of Polish Catholic immigrants,” Stuart (Snr) explains.

“Charlie’s brother was the first Kostera to call Kalamunda home and although my grandfather spent 1924 working

in the north-west, he too decided to settle here, purchasing the business in 1925 with his sons travelling from South Australia to help run it.”

The Kostera-run Kalamunda Bus Service buses, with their distinctive red brick livery, provided an essential public service for people living in the Perth hills until 1958 when the Metropolitan Transport Trust (MTT) assumed control.

With the buses purchased by the MTT, Kostera’s essentially reinvented itself solely as a service station and mechanical workshop. Stuart has fond childhood memories of Saturday mornings spent cleaning and filling oil bottles, sweeping floors and generally immersing himself in the culture of his family’s legacy.

His father passed away when Stuart (Snr) was only 17 but with the family history naturally dictating a career in the motor trades, the young Kostera completed his mechanical apprenticeship with Premier Motors in West Perth.

The day he received his trade certificate in 1967, Stuart (Snr) left Premier Motors to join the family business – a decision heavily influenced by his mother continuing to run the service station following her husband’s death and the fact that “I was essentially there all the time anyway.”

“When you’re brought up in that environment, that’s your whole world,” Stuart says. “I’ve spent my whole life in and around workshops and cars and I can’t imagine how my life could have been any different – or any better.”

At the age of 22, with the mandatory bank loan and a Mobil fuel and oil deal in place, Stuart became the third generation of Kosteras to run the garage when he purchased the Haynes Street site from the Estate.

“So there I was – a young man with a big debt, a strong desire to continue my burgeoning motorsport career and a workshop to run,” Stuart says with a laugh. “I just worked my backside off until that debt was paid.”

Unsurprisingly, Stuart Kostera (Jnr) shares similar childhood memories of helping out at the garage on Saturday mornings and, very much mirroring his father’s journey, immediately joined the family business upon completion of his mechanical apprenticeship. In 1987, a plan to expand the local shopping centre necessitated a move to the current address on Mead Street – a stone’s throw from the original site – and the building of a brand new workshop and service station.

“It wasn’t an easy decision given the obvious sentimental connection to the old site, but it was a good move given the old place was full of asbestos and the old petrol tanks had been in the ground for who knows how long,” Stuart (Snr) said.

The tyre supply and fitting side of the business has gone from strength to strength and Kostera’s Tyre Service now employs 15 staff, specialising in all mechanical repairs as well as tyres.

Further expansion approximately 20 years ago saw the establishment of Perth Motorsport Tyres – not unsurprising given the racing legacy of both father and son – and the business

also sources and supplies tyres for vintage and veteran cars.

Aside from 100 years of providing mechanical repairs, tyres, petrol supplies and, in a previous guise, bus and taxi services, the Kostera name is also revered in Kalamunda thanks to the family’s history of community involvement.

Charlie Kostera was a stalwart of many local organisations and served on the Darling Range Board for 12 years. The Kalamunda football and cricket ground is named Kostera Oval in recognition of his passion for local sports and his commitment to establishing the facility.

Charlie was also instrumental in establishing an ambulance station in Kalamunda and, in keeping with the family tradition, Stuart Kostera (Snr) has previously been a Councillor for Kalamunda and a member of the local volunteer firefighting brigade with over 25 years of service. He was also a Confederation of Australian Motorsport Board member for many years.

“I might have been halfway through working on a car, but when that phone call came, the car was secondary to getting to the truck and helping fight

the fire,” Stuart said, adding that his life has been much richer due to his involvement in the local community.

“And now here we are celebrating 100 years of the business in Kalamunda and my family’s contribution to the area’s history.

“It is actually very humbling that the historical society has made such a fuss about our centenary, but I guess that does say something about our standing in the community and we are very proud to have been part of this wonderful place we call home for so long.”

With Stuart Junior’s two young boys now tearing around the workshop on a Saturday morning as the fifth generation of Kosteras, the name will no doubt live on in Kalamunda for sometime yet.

As long-time members of the MTA WA, and with Stuart (Snr) previously serving as a Board member, we also extend our congratulations to Kostera’s Tyre Service on reaching this amazing milestone.

RIGHT: Charlie Kostera on one of his famous Kalamunda Bus Service buses.

BELOW: MTA WA Group CEO Stephen Moir presenting Stuart Kostera (Jnr) with a certificate acknowledging the centenary milestone.

Whenracing is in the blood ...

As well as being recognised as an important part in the story of Kalamunda, the Kostera name is writ large in Western Australian motorsport history.

In the early 1960s, at the age of 17, Stuart Kostera (Snr) began racing at Caversham, Perth’s original dedicated circuit, in a Ford Anglia 105E.

“Back then, there were very few safety requirements,” Stuart says with a laugh. “You could wear shorts and a t-shirt if you wanted, as long as you had a seat belt of some description.”

A committee member of the WA Sporting Car Club for many years, he was instrumental in establishing a new racetrack at Wanneroo and the transition from Caversham following its reacquisition by the Department of Defence as a radio centre in 1968.

After several years in the Anglia, Stuart purchased an Elfin ANF 1.5litre open

wheel racing car. By the completion of the very first meeting at the new Wanneroo Park Raceway, Stuart had set the inaugural outright lap record –1 minute 9 seconds.

While Stuart raced other sports cars and achieved a great deal of success, it was in the fearsome V8 powered Elfin MS7 that he really made his name.

“I’d been friends with Garrie Cooper, founder of Elfin Sports Cars, for years and he told me he had an MS7 sports car for sale,” Stuart explains.

“I did a deal, borrowing money from the bank to purchase the car under the guise of plant and equipment for the business.”

Stuart raced that car at most Australian

racetracks in the 1970s and early 1980s, winning multiple State championships in Western Australia, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia and well as the Australian Tourist Trophy in 1976.

He sold the Elfin in 1982, raced a Formula 5000 for a year and then took up classic rallying, competing in the Targa Tasmania, Classic Adelaide and various Western Australian events in a Lotus Europa.

He also competed in several Australian off-road Safaris, claiming podiums in the production class in a Mazda B2600 4×4 ute, and also entered the 2000 London to Sydney marathon recreation in a Holden Kingswood.

“All of that was quite a departure from racing the ‘big banger’ sports cars and open wheelers, but it didn’t matter – I was still racing in a very competitive environment,” Stuart says, adding that he feels very fortunate to have enjoyed such a wide and varied motorsport career.

Upon retirement from competition, Stuart (Snr) became a regular Confederation of Australian Motorsport (CAMS) steward –officiating at local, national and international events.

Having accompanied his father as a very young boy on numerous trips across the Nullarbor with the Elfin MS7 in tow, it is unsurprising that the passion for motorsport also runs

‘‘ As amazing as my motorsport career was, I have always been in it for the enjoyment factor – and believe me, I’ve had an awful lot of fun racing and have been lucky enough to work with, and race against, some wonderful characters.

Stuart Kostera (Jnr)

though the veins of Stuart (Jnr) and he too has had a storied career.

Around the time of his father winding back his involvement with racing, the young Kostera remembers his eighth or ninth Christmas and the go kart that began his introduction to the sport.

“We took the kart to the family service station and within 10 minutes, I’d driven it into one of the roller doors, hit a petrol pump and ripped a wheel off,” Stuart (Jnr) laughs, adding that it was definitely ‘flat out’ all the way.

That little hiccup did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of either father or son and Stuart (Jnr) was very competitive in the Western Australian junior categories before successfully participating in several events in the Eastern States around the age of 16.

Competing at a major FIA sanctioned meeting at the Cockburn International Kartway in 1988, complete with overseas drivers, opened Stuart’s eyes to the fact that this was not just an amateur sport to enjoy with friends on the weekend and from that point, the young Kostera set his sights on achieving something bigger.

Stuart tells an amusing story about his first overseas trip as a young karter, racing on the streets of Hong Kong for an international event.

“It was organised at the very last minute and we ended up stripping the kart down and packing the pieces in our suitcases, including two engines as hand luggage,” he says, adding that he took very little in the way of clothing.

“After checking in to our hotel room on about the 32nd floor, we rebuilt the kart in the room and then had to get in down the lift and through the foyer – you can imagine the looks – before then carrying it about two kilometres through the busy Hong Kong streets to the pits.

“We actually started the kart in the room and set off the fire alarm,” Stuart says with a laugh.

Having proved his credentials in Australia with multiple State Championships by the time he was 21, he left for Europe – initially only for a three month holiday – and ended up competing in British, and then subsequently European, championships with support from several manufacturers and financial input from his parents.

Finishing 12th in the 1996 European Championship against competition that included future Formula 1 drivers Jenson Button, Jarno Trulli and Anthony Davidson, as well as fellow Australians who also enjoyed successful professional careers in the sport, was more than respectful. With his mother becoming very ill, he was unfortunately forced to return home in 1997 to essentially run the business but in subsequent years continued to enjoy a great deal of success competing in a variety of classes in Australia.

Throughout the early 2000s he raced everything from karts through to open wheeler Formula Fords and Formula 3 cars, to Porsche GT3 Supercup cars and Production Cars, winning the Australian Production Car Championship three years in row between 2010 and 2012 with Team Mitsubishi Ralliart. He still keeps his hand in with occasional appearances at local race meetings, most recently in Formula 1000 cars.

“As amazing as my motorsport career was, I have always been in it for the enjoyment factor – and believe me, I’ve had an awful lot of fun racing and have been lucky enough to work with, and race against, some wonderful characters,” Stuart says.

“We never really had the money to be super serious, but who knows what might have been had I not happened to have found myself racing, both overseas and in Australia, during an era that was earmarked by such a prodigious group of really talented drivers.”

Exclusive opportunity for members to be part of the Festival

The Tyrepower Joondalup Festival of Motoring (JFOM) is a three-day, highoctane celebration that transforms the Joondalup City Centre into the ultimate automotive playground from 2 – 4 May.

The festival brings together over 20,000 automotive enthusiasts for motorsport, live music, incredible food, and stunning vehicle exhibitions in an unforgettable weekend of car culture, community and automotive engineering.

At the heart of JFOM is a passion for the automotive industry—a passion we proudly share with the MTA WA and its members. This year, we’re thrilled that MTA WA will join us in celebrating all things automotive. As part of this, we invite MTA WA members to showcase their special vehicles in an exclusive show and shine area at JFOM on Sunday, May 4.

Register your interest with your name, MTA WA membership number and vehicle details.

So much to see and do over the entire weekend ....

Join us for this special screening of Talladega Nights in the picturesque grounds of ECU Joondalup at the Telethon Community Outdoor Cinemas. Tickets via Telethon Community Cinemas.

Northern Steel Car Club will be joining JFOM for their monthly meet to exhibit their pristine pre-89 and classic vehicles. JFOM Bar and Food Truck Zone will be open.

Festival favourite the Tyrepower Joondalup City Sprint is back! We will be bringing high horsepower motorsport back to the streets of central Joondalup for the cars that are more ‘go’ than ‘show’.

Classic Cars and Coffee including JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) will again have its own section at JFOM. See some rare, quirky JDM vehicles and pristine examples of cult favourites.

Bring your secondhand car parts and motoring memorabilia to our first JFOM Trash and Treasure. Sellers are admitted from 8am, buyers admitted 9am. (93 Boas Av, Joondalup Reid Promenade Multi Deck Car Park).

Experience a memorable night of storytelling with Erebus Supercars driver Jack Le Brocq. Share his adventures on the Supercar Circuit, all while enjoying premium beverages and gourmet canapés.

The ultimate gathering for Subaru fans, Rexpo 2025 will be held at JFOM! Get up close and personal with the entire lineup of current Subaru vehicles, including the rally-bred WRX, versatile Outback, rugged Forester, and many more.

Who doesn’t like a sleepover! We’ve partnered with Quest Joondalup to transform your festival visit into a luxurious weekend retreat. See our website for more details.

JOONDALUP

JOONDALUP

Fast-track apprenticeship leads to a new career

Never one to shy away from a new career challenge, Andy Mathers has spent his entire life embarking on new adventures and embracing new experiences.

So perhaps it is not so unusual that at an age when some people have half an eye on retirement, Andy has just completed his light vehicle mechanical apprenticeship – albeit in record time. He wasn’t necessarily planning on a career in the automotive trades when he posted on Facebook that he was looking for work following an unexpected redundancy and, likewise, Perth Brake, Clutch and Exhaust Manager Drew Stolk wasn’t actually looking for an apprentice when he saw the post approximately two and half years ago.

Having owned the business now for about 10 years, Drew still marvels at the serendipitous timing of that Facebook post and how it lead to Andy becoming such an important part of the workshop.

WORDSAND PICS: PAUL ROBERTS

“I gave Andy a call, explaining I was about to advertise for a general assistant and asked if he would be interested,” Drew said, adding that the two friends had known each other for about 10 years through their involvement in the City of Cockburn Volunteer Fire Brigade.

What could have just been a short term solution for both parties has proven to be anything but.

“My expectation was that Andy would do some parts ordering and customer liaison to help me out but he was immediately keen to get on the tools whenever possible and, as it turned out, he was every bit as productive as the mechanics I had,” Drew said.

“Andy has been absolutely gold and if I could find another person like him for the business, I’d employ them in a heartbeat.”

With Andy very quickly establishing his credentials as an outstanding employee – and the business ideally needing one additional qualified mechanic – Drew offered Andy an apprenticeship, albeit on the proviso that every attempt would be made to fast-track the process.

With a great deal of assistance from MTA WA Training, and in particular Ian Sheldon, Andy’s apprenticeship was completed in two and half years rather than the prescribed four years and he officially became qualified in December.

“I would have been just going into my third year now without the additional understanding and support from MTA WA Training, so it’s great I got the opportunity to finish my apprenticeship before I reached retirement age,” Andy, 55, says with a laugh.

MTA WA Training has established a very specific set of protocols for its apprenticeship program with capabilities tested with regular on-site assessments. While an apprenticeship would normally take four years, Andy was very much an exception due to his maturity and skill level.

“The first year of my apprenticeship was pretty well all by the book, but then the next three years worth of work was completed in 18 months,” Andy explained.

“If not for Ian’s assistance we could never have followed this process through to the end but he understood what we were aiming for and went out of his way to facilitate it,” said Drew, outlining that Andy’s natural affinity for the job and the variety of tasks he undertook made evidence-based assessments in the workshop relatively easy to accommodate.

Befitting the personality of a person who has enjoyed a wide and varied life, Andy has always been the sort of person who looked forward to mastering new skills.

Having

“I’m not one who thinks I’ve learned how to do something and I now don’t need to improve my skillset or learn something new,” Andy says, adding that he has always embraced the spirit of adventure.

His previous jobs have included everything from working in a bank, being a motorcycle courier in London and teaching sailing through to 10 years as a police officer, secondary school teaching and running his own lawn mowing business.

And that’s not to mention his commitment to the Volunteer Fire Brigade and his involvement in the Army Reserve where he learnt some general mechanical skills.

“I don’t like going backwards and I see life as series of linked opportunities,” Andy says, explaining that his career with the WA Police Force concluded with a stint as a training officer which in turn influenced his desire to gain a teaching degree.

Unfortunately, a lack of permanent job security within the Western Australian education department lead Andy to pursue other career opportunities but ultimately he is very happy with his new-found purpose.

“Initially I was just helping with parts ordering and answering the phone, but I pretty quickly found my feet, discovered I did have a flair for this work and started getting more involved in the workshop,” Andy said. “I’ve always been eager for knowledge so even before the apprenticeship was on the table, I would shadow Drew and the other mechanics in the workshop and ask questions in order to improve my expertise.”

Citing the example of a classic 1957 2-door Chevrolet that required a brake upgrade, Andy said that he particularly loved the challenge of working out the very best way to making a modification look as neat and as ‘factory’ as possible.

“For example if you’re going to fit an electronic vacuum pump and reservoir to an older car, you don’t necessarily just bolt it to the inner wheel arch because there was room,” he explains. “I will try and find somewhere more discreet.”

“We get a lot of unique cars in here and vehicles that others don’t want to work on,” he explains, adding that there is a real sense of pride in the fact

‘‘‘‘ If not for the MTA WA’s assistance, with considerable input from Ian Sheldon, we could never have followed this process through to the end but he understood what we were aiming for and went out of his way to facilitate it.

Drew Stolk, Manager Perth Brake, Clutch and Exhaust

that owners place such trust in the business.

“The owner of the ’57 Chev placed a review on our Google page which basically said the car wasn’t stopping when it came in and when it left it drove like a Formula 1 car – which is not quite true but a nice compliment none the less,” Andy says with a smile.

“I’ve always enjoyed working on cars

and I am particularly passionate about doing a good job that I can be very proud of, no matter what the task.

“Fulfilment in work is directly proportionate to the effort you put in. Now that I’m part of this industry, and working with a good mate who shares my values and has a similar passion for cars and doing outstanding work, I can genuinely say that I am very fulfilled.”

MTA WA Trainer Ian Sheldon (left) pictured with Andy Mathers (centre) and Perth Brake, Clutch and Exhaust Manager Drew Stolk.

Holiday confirms workplace culture is King

WORDS AND PICS: PAUL ROBERTS

The freedom, sense of adventure and convenience of a comfortable, transportable home away from home are just a few of the reasons Aleisha Kaeding has loved caravanning ever since her first holiday on the road as a young girl.

But when your passion becomes your business and your business is your passion, actually finding the time to enjoy the caravanning lifestyle can be little more than a faraway dream.

And so it was for Aleisha, owner and Chief Executive Officer of Caravan King Mandurah, her life and business partner Corey Bryant and their three young children.

“In nine years we have grown from a one man show servicing caravans and operating from home out of a small trailer to a business with huge workshops employing over 25 team members,” Aleisha said.

That phenomenal growth has not been without its challenges and sacrifices. One of the major hurdles for the couple was believing they could escape

the day-to-day running of the business in order to create the family memories their customers were enjoying.

With friends suggesting the family should join them on a caravan trip to Cairns in mid 2024, Aleisha and Corey began considering a three week break – one week to drive there, one week in the Queensland city and a week for the return trip to Mandurah.

“We spoke to the team, told them of our plans, assured them that we would always be available on the phone to deal with any problems and that we’d be back in three weeks,” Aleisha said, admitting that the couple did not actually fully commit until a week before the scheduled departure date.

Two weeks later, following a great family holiday and with the team back home doing a stellar job in their absence, Aleisha and Corey began the long trip home.

“We probably had travelled 700 kilometres west when we decided we were driving past too many places and that we needed to take more time to enjoy what we knew we

were missing,” Aleisha said. “And at some point, we just decided we were having an adventure and there should be no time limit.”

After seven months, and having traversed most of Australia – from the northern most point of Queensland down to Adelaide in the south via the Northern Territory – the family finally returned to Mandurah in late January this year.

“Everyone here stepped up to allow us to do this and the business actually did really well while we were away,” Aleisha said.

“Ultimately it was just doing it and not over thinking because if we had tried to plan and prepare for this trip, we would probably have never believed it was possible.

“Instead of looking at all the things that could have gone wrong and all the what ifs, we just made sure we stayed in regular contact with all our key people to assure them we were still very much invested in them and their future,” Aleisha said.

Aside from actually having a well deserved family holiday, the trip also demonstrated to Aleisha that her focus on establishing a great workplace culture and ensuring that employees felt as invested in the business as the owners had paid great dividends.

In just nine years Caravan King owners Aleisha Kaeding and partner Corey Bryant have taken their business from a backyard operation to a very successful enterprise employing 25 people.

“It’s great to look at profit margins and where you can improve productivity and so on – that’s just sensible business – but when you genuinely look after your people, they will look after you and ultimately the business thrives organically,” Aleisha said.

Of course, while the story of Caravan King today is one of a large, efficient service centre and sales yard, the beginnings of the business nine years ago are far more humble and chaotic. With a light vehicle mechanical apprenticeship under his belt, Corey – like Aleisha, a caravanning enthusiast from childhood thanks to family holidays – took up a career opportunity as a sales consultant for a large caravan dealer in Mandurah.

“He saw a huge hole in the market for servicing and repair and when the company he was working for rejected the idea, we started our own little mobile business on the side to make a little bit of extra money,” Aleisha said, explaining that a very small advertisement in the local paper was the beginning of where they are today.

“The phone started ringing off the hook almost immediately and suddenly Corey’s weekends were fully booked out weeks in advance.

“It got to the stage very quickly that he couldn’t take his phone with him

to a job because he wouldn’t get any work done so I began to take the calls and organise the bookings while also looking after two young children in nappies.

“And funnily enough, Corey had never actually serviced or repaired a caravan in his life, but he had the mechanical ability and knowledge and a real passion for helping people,” Aleisha said, adding that word of mouth within the local community lead to an everincreasing demand for his services.

Within six months, the couple took the plunge to turn what was the very definition of a side hustle backyard business into a full-time venture when Corey resigned from his position selling caravans and they employed a second person to help with the servicing.

“I remember it had got to the stage where our little house in Meadow Springs was beginning to look a bit like a wrecking yard with caravan parts everywhere,” Aleisha said with a laugh, adding that when Corey began being asked to undertake bigger jobs –including accident repairs – they knew it was time to move to the next level.

The couple leased what, at the time, seemed like a big Mandurah workshop “way out of our budget”, and four years ago they were forced to find even

larger premises to accommodate the ever increasing demand from caravan owners.

“Greater than 50 percent of our new business comes from word of mouth and almost 70 percent of total turnover is from repeat customers,” Aleisha says proudly.

“We have the best customers in the world and they appreciate that we go the extra mile to ensure that when they go away in their caravan they do not have to worry about anything because that is our job.

“What we do here impacts whether people are going to have a great experience or a not so great experience so I genuinely believe that what we are doing is not just preparing a van but helping ensure great memories.

“It is such a privilege that customers continually want to share their journey with us for it’s like we have become an important part of the family.”

Testimonials from satisfied customers, along with shared stories and pictures of caravanning adventures, feature prominently in the waiting room at Caravan King.

Importantly, Aleisha shares all these stories with the team at Caravan King, ensuring that everyone experiences the gratitude expressed and can take pride in knowing they have positively impacted on people’s lives.

Ensuring all team members are appreciated, heard and get to share in the success of the business is a cornerstone of the leadership approach employed so successfully by Aleisha.

“Over time I’ve realised that there is a difference between managing process and managing people,” she said.

“One of the things that I absolutely believe in is constant consultation with team members to discover any problems and to enable the mutual development of solutions so that the business continues to be the best it can be.”

To this end, Aleisha has established daily scheduled team meetings with structures that allow people the opportunity to discuss anything – be it work related or personal – from frustrations and challenges through to successes and milestones.

“Initially there was some push back, but now these meetings are absolutely embraced as they have provided the opportunity to not only highlight any issues or concerns but also for everyone to know that they are an integral part of a very special group,” she explained.

Fellow business owners have expressed surprise that a manager would promote spending time ‘off the tools’ everyday in order to foster team member discussions, but Aleisha maintains that it ultimately creates real-time solutions to any problems and is fundamental to a high level of team member morale.

Complemented by Tuesday lunch days, anniversary and birthday celebrations, ‘most valued team member’ awards, family days and encouragement for personal development, Aleisha says the high level of employee retention is proof that this inclusive approach to workplace relations is paying huge dividends.

Aleisha is keen to point out that Director of Operational Excellence, Belle Lockerby, and the company’s Team Leader, Kenny MacDonald, have been invaluable in helping to evolve some of the protocols that have now become a key part of Caravan King’s workplace culture.

Ultimately, of course, it is the customer who reaps the rewards of this culture and for those seven months when Aleisha and Corey were on their unexpected road trip, they were able to see from a customer’s perspective just what an amazing group of people they have developed.

Sharing thoughts ...

Aleisha Kaeding is passionate about workplace culture and ensuring that her team members feel valued.

“We have implemented a daily ‘toolbox’ meeting for the technicians and a daily front office ‘huddle’,” she explains.

“It takes the format of a W-I-F-L-E – ‘What I Feel Like Expressing’ – and it is essentially a forum where the team can bring anything that may be impacting them to the meeting: good, bad, positive, anything.

“It could be about an issue they have with a job they are working on or it could be something more personal such as a pet having passed away, a family matter or a personal triumph they wish to share.

“It’s an opportunity to express their feelings so that the rest of team can provide support if needed – or be aware of the reasons someone might not be their usual self – or celebrate with that person.

“The W-I-F-L-E also serves to discover any issues or challenges that people may be having with work which then in turn allows other team members to offer support and solutions which ultimately means everyone is working toward the same goal.

“Once everyone who wants to has said their W-I-F-L-E, we have a ‘burning’ – so called because others will be burning to respond.

“It might be along the lines of ‘I just wanted to say a huge congratulations’ or ‘I’ve experienced a similar issue with a job and I tackled it this way’.

“Ultimately it’s about supporting each other at work and in our wider lives and it has been a real game changer in giving the team a real sense of being heard and validated.”

Aleisha Kaeding, owner and CEO Caravan King Mandurah ‘‘

One of the things that I absolutely believe in is constant consultation with team members to discover any problems and to enable the mutual development of solutions so that the business continues to be the best it can be.

Applicant Screening & Recruitment

Our Apprentice Employment Services team evaluates, aptitude tests and interviews applicants, ensuring your new MTA WA Training apprentice is a good fit for your business.

Apprentice Workplace Support

Your apprentice receives dedicated mentorship from an MTA WA Training employment consultant who has automotive trade experience, improving workplace relationships and retention

Payroll & Employment Administration

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We cover apprentice training costs, and you are only billed for the apprentice while they’re actively working in your workshop

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Embracing life’s opportunities brings its rewards

They say variety is the spice of life and while Phillip Van Oyen, owner of Abletek Mechanical in Kalgoorlie, would most definitely agree, he has put a slightly different spin on this age-old adage.

“Opportunities materialise as you navigate through life and when presented with a chance to learn a new skill or to take a slightly different path, I think you should grab it with both hands and give it your best shot,” he says when reflecting on his interesting and diverse life.

“To have said yes to a number of new opportunities that have presented themselves over the years has been the best thing I could have done for life has been so much richer for having taken those challenges.”

Interestingly, Phillip credits this attitude to a story owner Brian Chapman told him during his time as an apprentice in the early 1980s with Service Automotive Engineering in Myaree.

“Brian was approached in the late 1960s, I think it was, by a person who was looking to start a used car yard in Perth and was offered the opportunity to become a partner in this venture,” Phillip explains.

“He seriously thought about it but spoke to a friend who insisted there was no money to be made in used cars and the business would never take off and, based on that advice, he declined the offer.

“The man who offered him the partnership was Brian Gardner,” Phillip says with a laugh.

He is, however, personally very grateful that Brian Chapman did not embark on that venture for he credits the training he received from both Brian and co-owner of Service Automotive Engineering, John van Leeuwin, as instrumental in his personal and professional development.

“I began my apprenticeship with those guys as a 15 year old in 1982 and I feel so fortunate to have been trained by two outstanding mechanics who not only had a wealth of experience in diagnosing

and fixing road cars, but who were also able to teach me the theoretical side of vehicle dynamics due to their motorsport experience with go-karts and Formula Ford open wheeler racing cars,” Phillip said.

“Brian built a lot of the engines for competitors and John was a highly respected driver so in the nine years I was with them, I not only had training with the daily work that came in but also a bit of hands-on experience with open wheeler racing cars and race car set up.”

Phillip’s love of anything mechanical began at a young age, as did his enthusiasm for embracing opportunities and learning new skills.

From the age of 13, he clearly remembers getting up at 5.30am each morning during the school holidays to join a close family friend who was a mobile car mechanic who also specialised in heavy duty machinery repairs.

“I would jump in his Holden ute and help out with his jobs – which could be anything from a servicing a passenger vehicle to working on a front end loader,” Phillip said.

“That experience prior to starting my apprenticeship gave me an understanding that working in the motor trade was not one dimensional and that you could learn the skills to work on anything mechanical.

“Brian Chapman also embodied this same attitude for prior to setting up his business, he was employed by Whittakers Timber working on everything from stationary engines to front end loaders and trucks.

“His skill in rebuilding anything and everything was incredible and the fact that he never shied away from any mechanical challenge was truly inspirational for a young apprentice,” Phillip said.

So it was perhaps not such a strange career move when Phillip and his young family relocated to Manjimup in 1992 to work for the very person who

had galvanised his love for mechanics during those early morning school holiday starts.

And equally, given Phillip’s propensity to take opportunities when presented, it is perhaps unsurprising that this new career in Manjimup saw him doing everything from building greenhouses for seedling production to building conveyor belts and repairing farm machinery.

Also during this period in Manjimup, Phillip worked at a potato farm before an opportunity to get back on the tools presented itself at the local garage.

“Interestingly, this gave me another new perspective on my place in the world because I actually felt for the first time in my mechanical career that I was truly validated,” Phillip said outlining that no matter how long you stay in the workshop where you completed your training, regular customers will still look upon you as an apprentice.

“When you leave and start afresh, you are for the first time recognised as a fully qualified mechanic and that certainly rang true when I was running the workshop in Manjimup and the buck stopped with me,” he said.

Phillip’s love for all things mechanical isn’t limited to ground based vehicles. His real passion is aviation (“even now when I hear a helicopter going overhead, I’ll put down my spanner and go outside to watch it flying”) and while he had been convinced that the move to Manjimup was for life, yet another opportunity took him and his family back to Perth in 1995.

“I was offered a place studying aircraft engineering at Jandakot Airport’s Aeronautical College,” he said, explaining that while it was great learning experience, having a young family fuelled the need to work

Phillip Van Oyen, owner of Abletek Mechanical, has made Kalgoorlie his home for the past 20 years.

rather than study. With a job offer from Goldfields Air Services, a move to Kalgoorlie began the next chapter in Phillip’s life.

While Phillip’s decision was influenced by his love of aviation engineering, and his appetite for learning new skills, he does admit that low wages in the aviation industry ultimately lead to his return to the motor trades due to Kalgoorlie cost of living pressures.

“One great thing that came out of working in aviation which I think was invaluable in increasing my skillset is that your eyes become highly trained tools,” he said. “When inspecting aircraft you have to be highly diligent as you’re working on something that is flying in the sky and a missed fault can be disastrous,” he said.

“And the other great thing that came out of this move to Kalgoorlie is the opportunities that I’ve had – be it teaching music at the local high school, working for a good friend in his earthmoving business and learning new skills as a heavy duty mechanic and, ultimately, owning my own business.”

Abletek Mechanical has been in Phillip’s hands for almost 20 years now and his

ownership came about, again, almost by a hand of fate.

“After leaving Goldfields Air Services, I did a few things before ending up at the local Toyota dealership, initially as a mechanic and then as the workshop foreman,” Phillip explains.

“I like building relationships with people so we are not all faceless names to each other and the guy who looked after the wheel alignments for the dealership approached me and said ‘you should run your own business –I’m ready to sell and move on.’

“I was actually really nervous about the concept because as a kid who left school at 15, I felt I didn’t have the necessary expertise to start a business,” Phillip said.

Overcoming this fear was only part of problem. Once Phillip had accepted that his far reaching skillset and wide variety of life experience made him an ideal mechanical workshop business owner, the next challenge was securing a bank loan.

“The lesson I learnt through the process of acquiring the business was yes, there’s a lot of chasing around and a lot of background work to do and it’s a big kick in the guts when the bank says they can’t help you,” Phillip explained. “But you either get up and keep on fighting or you walk away from it – and the best decision I’ve made is to keep on fighting.”

Phillip did eventually secure that loan and on April 12, 2006 he officially became the owner of Abletek Mechanical.

The business is still going strong and, including Phillip, currently employs three mechanics. A conscious decision not to greatly expand has kept the focus on customer service and, perhaps just as importantly, Phillip being able to enjoy a life away from the workshop. He prioritises family time and has a hard and fast rule that workshop hours are strictly 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday, claiming that in 20 years he’s only ever worked on a Saturday morning a handful of times.

“If I don’t have a point where I stop, I don’t slow down and I lose that valuable time with family,” he says explaining that getting the balance right is vitally important in order to lead a happy, healthy and fulfilling life.

“I don’t do this job to make a million dollars and while I’m incredibly grateful that it’s looked after my family for years, the desire to do different things and challenge myself is just as important as earning a buck,” Phillip said.

“When I first arrived in Kalgoorlie, people asked how long we would be staying and I truthfully answered that I had absolutely no idea for that’s one of the great things about life – you just don’t know what’s around the corner and what the next challenge might look like.”

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New chapter begins for iconic workshop

FWORDS AND PICS: PAUL ROBERTS

or over 62 years, Ray Counsel Motors was somewhat of an anomaly amongst the houses in Mosman Park’s leafy residential streets.

The site the workshop occupied had remained immune to development until late last year and while it is now gone, the name Ray Counsel Motors lives on in its new home in O’Connor.

The story of this iconic Western Australian workshop is a fascinating one featuring three central players, each with a fierce sense of loyalty to the name, a very valuable parcel of land, a real estate mogul and, ultimately, a never ending stream of satisfied customers.

As owners for the last 18 years, husband and wife team Larry and Maria Albanese represent the third generation of Ray Counsel Motors and while they might not be blood relatives of the man whose name sits above the door, their connection is extremely strong.

Larry has proudly worn the overalls

bearing the name Ray Counsel Motors for over 32 years, having joined the workshop as a young mechanic in 1992.

By this stage, Ray had retired and Larry was employed by his long-time business partner and fellow mechanic John Bearfoot – the third name in this fascinating story.

“John Bearfoot completed his apprenticeship with Ray as a young man and then went on to spend his entire working life at the Mosman Park workshop, eventually taking over the business from Ray and finally retiring after 45 continuous years there,” said Larry.

“You could say he was remarkably loyal, but they enjoyed a very special relationship and John was like a son to Ray.”

Ray established the business in 1962 as a British Motor Corporation (BMC) dealership and mechanical workshop. Fiercely proud of English motoring heritage, Ray was defiantly unwilling

Larry Albanese pictured holding the painting presented to him by 15 year old Violet Davis, the daughter of a regular customer. On the reverse it reads “To a local legend”.

to entertain working on any model of car that was not of British origin when he was running the business.

“If a potential customer came into the workshop with any make of car that was not British, even if it were for something as simple as wanting the oil checked or to buy a replacement globe, Ray would send them on their way empty handed,” Larry remembers with a laugh.

Until his death in 2002, Ray enjoyed spending a few hours at the workshop each week during the summer months, either collecting parts from suppliers or tidying up – despite the fact that owners of all makes and models now made up the customer base.

“The winter months were spent with his wife Edith, exploring the northern reaches of Western Australia in a converted bus and he passed away peacefully in Carnarvon with a glass of wine in one hand and a handful of peanuts in the other,” Larry said.

Following Ray’s death, John’s loyalty was ‘rewarded’ when the will was read and it was revealed that Ray had bequeathed the business and the land on which the workshop sat to his friend. Having already previously purchased the house next door to the workshop, John was now the owner a large piece of valuable Mosman Park real estate.

Upon John’s retirement in 2007, Larry and Maria began their tenure of the Ray Counsel Motors name, purchasing all the stock and equipment.

The Mosman Park site was sold to the Managing Director and Chairman of property developer Peet and Co, Tony Lennon, on the condition that the workshop could remain operating for at

‘‘ I think if Ray were looking down on us now he would say ‘Larry I’m really, really happy with what you have done and that you’re still keeping my name alive, but I’m a bit upset that you are no longer just working on British cars.’

Maria Albanese, Ray Counsel Motors

RIGHT: Larry and Maria Albanese in front of their new workshop in O’Connor.

BELOW: Ray and Edith Counsel enjoying their retirement in Carnavon.

The original Ray Counsel workshop in Mosman Park circa 1964.

least a couple of years to allow Larry and Maria time to find their feet.

“Given we were smack bang in the middle of a residential area, we also took comfort from the fact that Ray had somehow negotiated a deal with the Mosman Park Town Council all those years ago which granted 18 years’ grace before having to close the doors of the workshop if there were ever any noise complaints,” Larry explained.

“I don’t think anyone ever complained, but that clause was definitely there in black and white.”

Remarkably, many years went by without even a hint of the bulldozers arriving to change the landscape and Maria explains that the business continued to go from strength to strength with Larry’s reputation as a first class mechanic with a heart of gold ensuring a constant stream of customers.

“With each passing year, we thought this is a brilliant outcome and we’re going to be here in Mosman Park until we retire,” Maria says with a laugh.

Of course, the dream of remaining in Mosman Park couldn’t last forever and, after an unexpectedly long 18 years, Larry and Maria received the news in September last year that a sale was imminent.

“We are so grateful that Tony Lennon didn’t develop the site for it really allowed us to establish a fabulous rapport with our customers,” Maria said.

“Possibly due to being in the heart of the Mosman Park residential area, we did get quite a few damsels in distress and they were so appreciative of Larry’s honesty and his willingness to help with all sorts of problems.

“I remember him fixing an ironing board for a customer once and another time we secretly stored a motorbike for a mother who was keeping it away from her son.”

While they may have enjoyed 18 years’ grace from having to relocate, the couple were given just three short months to find a new home and to sort through three generations of workshop history.

“The minute we knew the site was going to be sold, we started moving equipment and parts that were not required for the daily running of the business into a storage unit while also filling two 10tonne skip bins,” Larry said.

The couple also donated a large collection of parts to the Morris Minor Club of WA.

The search for a new premises lead them to O’Connor and, not unsurprisingly,

concerns about losing their valuable customer base. They need not have worried.

“When we closed up in December last year, we held a sausage sizzle to say thank you to our customers and we were overwhelmed by the response from people wanting to say goodbye but assuring us that they would definitely keep supporting the business,” Larry said.

“It really was very humbling and we are so appreciative to all our loyal customers.”

In a touching tribute, the 15 year old daughter of one client even painted a picture of Larry standing in front of the old workshop and presented it to the couple on that final day. On the reverse it reads “To a local legend.”

Maria explains the continued support by quoting the saying “success is not the key to happiness, happiness is the key to success.”

“If you love what you are doing, you will be successful,” she says. “Larry has a real love and a passion for cars and he really cares about people and always doing the right thing.

“When you have such a passion it really shows and I think all of our customers have recognised this,” she said.

While the name Ray Counsel Motors still adorns the invoices, it is Larry Albanese, ably assisted by his wife, who has built such a strong reputation for good old fashioned service that customers are more than happy to drive that little bit further to have their cars looked after.

“I think if Ray were looking down on us now he would say ‘Larry I’m really, really happy with what you have done and that you’re still keeping my name alive, but I’m a bit upset that you are no longer just working on British cars’,” Maria concludes with a laugh.

Larry pictured in the original Mosman Park workshop with his one concession to British motoring history – an MGB. Other vehicles in his collection include a 1968 Fiat Bambino, an Holden HZ GTS Monaro and a Holden Marloo ute. Picture courtesy Jeff Atkinson.

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IF I COULD OWN ANY CAR... BIKE

‘‘Although I certainly hold no grudges, I grew up in a household where my parents were anti-motorcycles. My father repeatedly told me the story of how he lost a friend back in his younger years in a bike accident and since then owning a motorcycle was never an option for his two sons as long as they lived at home.

So, like many a typical teenager, I moved out at 19 and getting my motorcycle licence was priority number one. I passed my test on a trusty Suzuki GN 250 but sports bikes were where my passion lay.

Sadly, that same year, my grandmother passed, leaving her grandchildren $5000 each. I took the money straight down to Albany Highway Victoria Park to buy my dream – the Kawasaki KR-1, the hottest 250cc money could buy back in 1998.

However, as I walked past McCulloch Suzuki I realised there was a new player to the market – Suzuki’s RGV250 and I fell in love immediately. I walked in with my inheritance, signed up on finance for the balance, and within a week I was riding one of the first RGV250’s to be delivered in Perth.

And I rode it everywhere. At every opportunity I was either riding it or cleaning it – those white wheels took some cleaning! That bike single handedly confirmed everything I ever thought motorcycle riding would be, and I knew immediately I would be a motorcycle enthusiast for life.

Anthony Warnock

Dealer Principal, Ducati Perth 2006

Ducati Desmosedici

What also happened that year – which would have a serious impact on my life –was Wayne Gardner winning the 500cc Grand Prix at Phillip Island. I had never watched a lot of Grand Prix motorcycle racing up until that point, as in my younger years I was a huge Peter Brock fan and Bathurst was the big day in my household every year.

But when Gardner won at Philip Island, the race, the crowd, the track, his wife’s reaction – just everything about it was super cool. Looking back now, I felt for the first time motorcycle racing was being given decent coverage on the television.

I remember getting on my Suzuki after the race and dreaming of being Wayne Gardner – the feeling reminiscent of growing up kicking a footy and thinking I was Bruce Doull. From then on, motorcycle racing was my passion.

I’ve been very fortunate since then to have had a great career on the tools in the motorcycle industry, with the highlight being 12 years working on racing bikes in the

British and world Superbike Championships, Moto GP and involvement with the American Motorcyclist Association.

When Ducati released the Desmosedici in 2006, I was in awe that you could buy a road legal Grand Prix replica for the road. Sure, it wasn’t exactly the same but at that stage Ducati didn’t have a V4 on the market and this was specifically built to replicate the GP bike ridden by Aussie legend Casey Stoner. Ducati were to only make 1500 and the price was high, but it was not only an impressive piece of engineering, it was absolutely

beautiful too. Boasting figures of 200HP at 13,800 rpm, a dry weight of 171 kg and a sound like nothing else on the road, this bike immediately became the holy grail for those wanting the ultimate Sportbike.

I was lucky enough to be working at a Ducati dealer when the Desmosedici landed on Australian shores and was even more fortunate to get to ride a few after servicing them.

They are hot, stiff and impractical but every time I rode one, I felt like a king! And still to this day, this is the dream bike for me.

Long live the King!

Tips for improving your customer complaints handling process

All businesses will face customer complaints at one time or another but it’s important to have a fair, transparent and efficient dispute resolution process. Having an effective process is crucial for a business’s reputation because it demonstrates commitment to customer satisfaction and strengthens credibility in the industry.

Unfortunately, Consumer Protection is seeing some motor vehicle dealerships with little in place, and this is a significant barrier for your customers to get issues resolved. As a result, this leads to extensive involvement from Consumer Protection to conciliate and resolve these complaints.

The Australian Consumer Law provides guarantees and protections that goods and services will be of acceptable quality and fit for purpose. As a business, you must uphold this consumer guarantee. But sometimes things go wrong, and a consumer has a complaint. Having an effective dispute resolution process in place means customer complaints are handled the same way every time and in a timely manner.

What does a good dispute resolution process look like?

Firstly, it always involves open communication, empathy, negotiation and compromise.

Provide multiple ways for a customer to lodge a complaint, this could be email, phone or in-person. Acknowledge the complaint promptly and record the details into a central location. It may be worth considering creating a standardised form that staff are trained to use.

When speaking to the customer, ask what remedy they are seeking, whether it be a full or partial refund, replacement or repair. They may not always end up with the remedy but

this is a good starting point.

Once you have all the details of the complaint, assess this internally and with your suppliers. It’s important to keep the customer informed about the progress of their complaint.

This will go a long way to keeping a good business reputation.

With Commissioner for Consumer Protection Trish Blake

When the complaint has been assessed, offer a fair and timely resolution as well as goodwill gestures where appropriate. Encourage compromise and suggest alternatives that may be acceptable to your business and the customer. Make sure that what you’re offering reflects at least what the customer is entitled to under the Australian Consumer Law.

At the end of the process, ask for feedback from the customer so your business can improve and train employees regularly on handling complaints effectively.

For more tips head to smallbusiness.wa.gov.au and search “handling customer complaints”.

FURTHER INFO

In October last year the Federal Government announced it would work with State and Territory governments and stakeholders to design civil prohibitions and penalties for breaches of the consumer guarantees and supplier indemnification provisions of the Australian Consumer Law.

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The intention is to strengthen supplier indemnification to provide incentives for manufacturers to reimburse sellers for the cost of providing a remedy where the manufacturer is at fault for the failure.

This will give motor vehicle dealerships the confidence to meet their consumer guarantee obligations and provide their customers with a repair, replacement, or refund where there is a failure. Keep an eye out for further updates on these changes in the future.

Licence ban after odometer tampering conviction

The motor vehicle dealer licensing system is designed to ensure that only fit and proper people operate in the industry.

In December last year Wesam Hamed Mohammed was disqualified from holding a motor vehicle dealers licence for two years for engaging in conduct that renders him unfit to be the holder of an authorisation under the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act 1973.

Consumer Protection applied to the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) to have the licence cancelled following Mr Mohammed’s odometer tampering conviction. He was found guilty and fined for winding back the odometers on two vehicles in 2023. This is an issue the Department takes seriously and will continue to tackle by prosecuting sellers who engage in this unlawful conduct.

Cancelling the licence of a motor vehicle dealer who is a convicted criminal means the community can be confident that unfit people are prevented from being involved in the industry and its integrity remains intact.