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🇦🇺 Australia /Culture & Society

The 99-year-old Victorian mechanic still working six days a week

From ABC Australia · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • 99-year-old Ray Gloster continues to work six days a week as a mechanic at his family's garage in Underbool, Victoria.
  • Gloster has worked at A.J. Gloster and Sons for 83 years, having started in 1925 when his father opened the business.
  • He has no plans to retire and expresses disinterest in electric vehicles, citing the challenges for rural drivers.

In the small town of Underbool, Victoria, nestled along the Mallee Highway, a remarkable story of dedication unfolds at A.J. Gloster and Sons garage. Here, 99-year-old Ray Gloster defies expectations, continuing to work as a mechanic six days a week, approaching his centenary with unwavering commitment.

They were selling at 200 pounds each then, imagine that?

— Ray GlosterRecalling the price of cars when his father's garage first opened.

Gloster's connection to the garage is deeply rooted; he has dedicated 83 years of his life to the family business, which his father, Arthur "Joe" Gloster, established in 1925. Ray was born in 1927, the same year his father began selling Chevrolet cars. He recalls the early days, when cars were a novelty and priced at 200 pounds each. The business evolved over the decades, selling various brands like Pontiacs, Oldsmobiles, and famously, Holdens, with Ray particularly fond of the 1948 FX model.

We're not particularly interested in them.

— Ray GlosterExpressing his disinterest in electric vehicles.

Despite the changing automotive landscape, Gloster remains steadfast in his approach. He has declared the family business is "not getting into electric ones," expressing a lack of interest and practical concerns about their viability in rural areas. "Out here in the country, I can't see electric cars taking over because you're too far away from help if you get any problems," he stated.

And out here in the country, I can't see electric cars taking over because you're too far away from help if you get any problems.

— Ray GlosterExplaining his reservations about electric cars in rural settings.

Beyond his professional life, Ray Gloster has been a pillar of the Underbool community. His contributions include serving as a justice of the peace, the local town hall's projectionist, and holding leadership roles on the local hospital board and bowls club. He also recalls his father's initiative in bringing electricity to Underbool in 1932, a significant development for the town. Ray's enduring presence and dedication to his craft and community make him a local legend.

In 1932 he said, 'I'm sick of these kerosene lights,' and decided to bring electricity to Underbool.

— Ray GlosterRecounting his father's initiative to bring electricity to their town.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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