Twilight Talks, Season 1 – Ballarat’s Changing Scene: Change in Ballarat’s Car Industry

Twilight Talks have been held at the Ballarat Mechanics Institute since 2001, providing a great opportunity to hear some fantastic speakers and meet up with friends over drinks.

Panel Discussion: Chair, Phil Roberts OAM, Patron and Twilight Talks Coordinator.

Panel Members: Peter Stevens, John Emery and Garry Harrowfield

Peter Stevens has had a lifetime of involvement in Ballarat’s car industry. He was Ballarat’s Motor Apprentice of the Year four times in the 1950s and established his own business in 1977. He forged a very successful career in the motor trade and volunteered for many community causes. This February a book about his story, 'Peter Stevens: Much More than Cars', was published.

John Emery came to Ballarat in 1977 and started a business at 204 Creswick Road mostly selling new European cars.

John was a renowned Motor Sports commentator including at the Adelaide and Tasmanian Grand Prix Rallies.

Garry Harrowfield joined the new vehicle industry in August of 1974 trading as Gardon Motors Ballarat on the north east corner of Mair and Doveton Streets.

Over the 33 years in business, we held, at various times, the franchises for Renault, Peugeo original franchises SAAB, Volvo Daihatsu, Subaru, Jaguar, Land Rover and Rover vehicles.

The BMI appreciates the support received from the Community Bank Buninyong for the staging of Twilight Talks