Half a century of stories from the automotive sector will be one of the highlights as Capricorn prepares to celebrate its fiftieth anniversary.
The celebration of Australia’s largest automotive cooperative formed in 1974 will be themed “50 Years Strong” and plans to highlight stories from a range of people across the Capricorn community.
Frank O’Connor, the inaugural General Manager of Capricorn who tells the story of Capricorn’s humble beginnings, Rex Goodchild, a Capricorn Member and Preferred Supplier since 1986, as well as Stuart Charity, CEO of the AAAA talking are just some of the multiple stories it will tell in words and video on a dedicated web page.
Interviews conducted by Capricorn CEO David Fraser, head of Automotive Brad Gannon who will take over later in the year when Fraser retires and other members of the Capricorn team chart the rise and rise of the WA cooperative, but always in the words of those members who have been part of the story.
Capricorn was formed in 1974 by 17 Golden Fleece service station owners who met at a training session and decided to form a buying group with the common goal of buying cheaper parts.
Fifty years later, Capricorn has over 28,000 Members and 2,000 Preferred Suppliers across Australia and New Zealand.
Frank Fonte from FMJ Automotive who joined in 1982, Robin and Brendan Bizzell from Bizzels garage who joined in 1992, Patrick and and Moria D’Cruz from Wembley Autocare from 2014 are just a few of the independent businesses who are showcased on the page with video stories.
Capricorn Group CEO David Fraser says this anniversary pays tribute to everyone who has supported the organisation over the past 50 years.
“50 Years Strong is about our Members, our Preferred Suppliers, our team and everyone in the wider Capricorn community who has been a part of the journey,” David says.
“Capricorn has created a community within the automotive industry that extends beyond business relationships.”
“As part of the celebrations, I’ve had the opportunity to reminisce about the good times, but also the challenges the community has faced. It’s been a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and reflect on the role of Capricorn. We’ve never lost sight of our purpose, why we exist, why we started.”
“We’re here to help and support Members to be stronger businesses, to be more sustainable. The vision of the original 17 remains as Capricorn’s purpose today, a commitment to working together and understanding the benefit of strength in numbers,” David says.
“50 Years Strong is all about the people who share this commitment and dedication, from the local mechanic Member to large nation-wide Preferred Suppliers and the employees on the road or in the office. Capricorn’s success is an achievement for all those in the industry.”
Celebrations of the milestone date will also include a gala dinner open to members and a competition aimed at gathering stories and photos from across the Capricorn community over the decade.
Members can send in memories before 31 August 2024 and go in the running to win a $1000 voucher to throw a celebration of your own.
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This article was originally published on the National Collision Repairer.