Full throttle for a new chapter

A MECHANICS workshop, opened in Canadian last week, is a new venture from female mechanic, Jac Westin.

Unlocking the Joseph Street doors to the public last Monday, Ms Westin was excited to get things moving along.

“I feel at home,” she said. “It will start slow but will pick up.”

Her obsession with mechanics began early.

She grew up around cars and trucks in Avoca, spending time with her mechanic father, and her sister’s boyfriend – a car fanatic.

When the time came to choose a career path, her passion meant there was a natural choice, but her initial dealings with the automotive industry weren’t easy.

As an apprentice completing her training across two different dealerships in Kyabram, at times she was going to quit.

“I was treated like a girl, not a mechanic.

The students were more accepting than the employers, but I was embarrassed to put my hand up and answer questions.

“I missed out on a lot,” she said. “I never got to do big or heavy jobs. I’m a hands-on learner and I was a fourth year before I got to pull a gearbox out. It was frustrating.”

Locking in a job after her apprenticeship, heading to work every day wasn’t smooth sailing either.

Ms Westin experienced workplace bullying at employers over two years.

However, for the eight years after she found her feet with the guidance of a welcoming and more encouraging employer.

Within that period, Ms Westin won a scholarship to further her education in the automotive industry through Women in Automotive.

But having experienced a period of depression, yet still holding a great love for the job, Ms Westin decided it was time for progression and a new chapter.

She registered a business name and initially ran her own mobile mechanics service visiting homes to service cars after hours.

The name registered – Full Throttle Mechanics – has stuck. She said it was “something different,” inspired by one of her favourite escapes, riding dirt bikes.

Opening a proper workshop was the next “big step” for Ms Westin, feeling experienced enough, well supported by family and her employer, and ready to go out on her own.

Now, she looks forward to Full Throttle’s growth.

“I’ve already got clients on my own from Facebook advertising, word of mouth and some rolling over from my previous employer.

“At times it’s been a fight, but it’s always been worth it.”

You can contact Full Throttle Mechanics at facebook.com/fullthrottlemechanics or 0413 250 574.