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50 Years of MTA Membership
from Motor Trade March 2021 NT
by Boylen
Thank you and congratulations to our MTA members celebrating 50 years of continuous membership.
David & Cos Cirocco. Castle Crash.
MTA Chairman Frank Agostino & Vaughn Colwill. Wickham Flower & Co.
MTA CEO Paul Unerkov with Guido Varricchio & Michael Varricchio. Varricchio’s Crash Repairs.
Mauro Russo & Sandy Russo. Peter Motors Glynde.
Jay Richards. Richards Utes.
Roydn & Louise Bailey.Ronco Motors.
FRANK AGOSTINO - THE CONSUMMATE BUSINESSMAN
MTA President Frank Agostino is regarded as one of South Australia’s most successful businessmen. As the Managing Director of the Agostino Group, he presides over a range of businesses including automotive/convenience, food and boutique agricultural production.
The Agostino Group had its beginnings when Frank bought into a Chrysler franchise in Elizabeth. This grew to encompass one Hyundai and four Mitsubishi dealerships, becoming the largest and most successful Mitsubishi dealership group in South Australia.
He remained a new car dealer for 29 years and contributed to the industry as President - Chrysler Services Motor Group, Chairman - Mitsubishi National Dealer Council and was President of the Mitsubishi Triple Diamond Marketing Group. Today the Agostino Group comprises:
• AMPM petrol retailer with associated convenience stores and car wash operations located throughout metropolitan and regional SA
• Subway made-to-order sandwiches outlets
• Carl’s Jr restaurants in South Australia and the Northern Territory as franchise owner
• Pendleton Estate – award-winning olives, olive oil and a range of other products.
Frank Agostino served the automotive industry with distinction as MTA president from 2005 to 2008 and has again held this position, now named Chairman, since 2014.
Some of his recent contributions have been to oversee the Association’s change of governance in 2019/2020, and to lobby on behalf of the sector during the COVID-19 lockdowns.
Frank remains well known for his iconic advertising in the 1980s with the catchcry of: “If we don’t give you a fair deal, I’ll shave off my mo”.
Less well known is his service to the community, including the Salvation Army, St Hilarion Aged Care, Northern Communities Hospital, Northern Communities Health Foundation, Anglicare, Olive Growers Australia, the Manufacturing Industry Skills Council and Pembroke School.
Frank brings unparalleled business acumen and a strong growth focus to everything he turns his hand to, and the automotive industry is indebted for his contribution.
NEVILLE GIBB - 50 YEARS OF EXEMPLARY SERVICE
Gibb & Sons has been an MTA member since 1970. MTA Past, President and Dealer Principal at Gibb & Sons Mitsubishi in the Mid North, Neville Gibb began his impressive involvement with the MTA from 1980 in his then father’s business. Shortly after, in 1989, Neville was elected as the Upper North Zone Chair. He was first elected to the MTA Board in 1997 as the Upper North Zone Representative.
He became Vice President from July 2008 to July 2011 and served with distinction as President from July 2011 to July 2014. His passion for the automotive industry is of the highest order, giving considerable time and input into the governance and direction of a range of organisations.
From his home town in Jamestown, Neville has also served on the Boards of the MTAA, AMIF and MTAA House during a tumultuous period of renewal and revitalisation. He has made a valuable contribution in these national roles and continues today as Chairman of MTAA.
Some of his achievements include:
• The revitalisation of MTAA to reassert itself as the nation’s peak automotive body
• Considerable achievements in public policy and regulations including advocating changes to franchising, consumer law and competition
• Opening the first ever automotive summit, that attracted 147 automotive leaders, key politicians and stakeholders that significantly contributed to the Senate inquiry into the automotive industry.
The Gibb Family has been serving the
motoring needs of the people in the Mid North of South Australia since the 1940s. Bert and Helen Gibb started their business in Jamestown in 1970, with sons Daryl, Neville and Ian joining during the 1970s and 1980s.
Neville was awarded MTA Life Membership in 2018 and continues to serve on the MTA Board.
