THE oldest rural Toyota dealership in South Australia took special honors on Saturday during the Millicent Business Community Association’s (MBCA) annual awards ceremony.
Recognising 55 years in business, Millicent Toyota was inducted into the MBCA’s Hall of Fame with owners Geoff and Judy Lowe and their son Simon, along with several of their long term employees, accepting the award from Wattle Range Mayor, Des Noll, on stage at the Millicent Civic and Arts Centre.
Watched by a crowd of about 150 fellow Millicent business people and their employees, Mr Lowe acknowledged the importance of staff to his business.
“This is not something we have won – it’s just because we have hung around a long time,” said Mr Lowe.
“That can’t be done without fantastic staff and that is what makes our business a family,” he said, reeling off the long service records of many of his staff.
He also thanked his family, particularly his wife Judy.
“The one constant in my life for the past 45 years has been my wife,” he said.
“Without her I wouldn’t be standing here.”
The Toyota franchise was first started in Millicent at the Adelaide Road service station which was owned by Ron and Mary McCourt.
In 1966, with the involvement of Mr Lowe’s parents, Roy and Dorothy, the business was moved to the corner known locally as Billy Goat Corner.
Then named Junction Auto Sales, the business was situated across the road from its current building in the disused old Caltex service station.
From here the business sold and serviced a wide range of machinery from tractors, motorbikes and hay rakes to Toyota vehicles.
The business expanded in 1976 when the current building, with showroom and office, was erected. In the 1980’s the name was changed to Millicent Toyota with the addition of a purpose built workshop and vehicle service facility.
Today the 45 year old showroom is going through an upgrade and is expected to be completed soon.
Mr Lowe began working with his father, Roy, in the business in 1967. He served in Vietnam from 1969 to 1971 then returned home to the family business where he worked alongside his father until Roy’s health declined and he retired leaving his son in the business.
Today the third generation of the Lowe family has entered the business with Geoff and Judy’s son, Simon joining the team in 2004 and today he is the Dealer Principal of Millicent Toyota.
Mayor Noll said in his presentation speech: “If you can’t find Geoff, more often than not he is in the back shed detailing a car ready for sale as he will never ask anyone to do anything he wouldn’t do himself.
“He is a true gentleman and treats his customers and colleagues with the utmost consideration and kindness.
“His professional business manner has made him well respected locally and wider afield with customers spread all over Australia.
“The Lowe family have always supported Millicent and its surrounding district with donations and prizes for many different charities and sporting groups and no doubt will continue to do so,” he said.
