Celebrating a lifetime of driving success

Lifetime Achievement Award for industry giant

It was a chance to rewind to the starts of the OGR story, showcasing the vision of founder OG Roberts and then the developing of that legacy through Peter’s reign.

THE OGR story began almost 70 years ago, in 1956, when OG Roberts purchased a Holden dealership in Mount Gambier, moving his family over from Shepparton, Victoria, with his wife Gwenny, their three daughters and seven-year-old son Peter.

“My grandfather, fondly known as “OG”, was a man of great integrity,” Bryce said. “His business vision and management style laid the foundations for O G Roberts & Co to become the modern-day automotive business it is today.

“His philosophy was about having quality people, supplying quality service and products.”

In its hey day, OG employed more than 300 staff with multiple offices in Mount Gambier, Melbourne and Adelaide, as well as a Ford dealership in Darwin.

It was in the early 1970s that the baton was passed from OG to Peter and thanks to some soured financial deals, Peter was left to rebuild the former empire basically from the ground up.

“Dad had to consolidate whatever assets were left to forge ahead with barely the shirt on his back,” Bryce said. “He wasn’t handed the reins of the dealership on a silver platter like many do, but rather fought every single day, for the next two decades bringing the business back to 100 per cent family ownership.”

And as Bryce recounted the hard work, blood, sweat and tears it took to re-establish the OGR name, it gave a clear snapshot of the role his father played in ensuring when Bryce took over the dealership in 2018, a solid foundation had been well and truly laid.

“During Dad’s time at the helm, his vision was clear – and that was for OGR to become ‘Your Driving Future”’,” he said. “The investment dad made into more franchises, technology and training drove the OGR brand to new levels in sales and service.

“Dad’s wife Karyn Roberts was instrumental in developing the customer focus and communication programs to OGRs large data base for over 30 years.”

Of course, Peter’s contribution to the industry was so much more than just building a successful family business – he has served the wider motor industry for five decades. He has sat on various boards and manufacturer dealer councils and has traversed Australia to take up the fight for the industry in the halls of power.

“In recent years his attentions Celebrating a lifetime of driving success turned to the franchising code and the protection of the automotive industry,” Bryce said. “One of Dad’s greatest contributions to the automotive industry has been his tireless work at the MTA of South Australia. Undoubtedly, he has put his business on hold, and my sisters would say his family, in his commitment to being the voice of the industry for the betterment of not only all its members but for its customers it served as well.”

Peter still has major involvement with the MTA in South Australia and sits on the executive board.

Bryce joined his father at OGR in 1995 as a trainee and has had a front row seat, and played a hand, in the evolution of the motor industry.

“As a company we have embraced innovation whilst continuing to deliver the best customer experience, services and aftersales support,” Bryce said.

“OGR now stands for ‘On Going Relations’ a philosophy, pioneered by my father and it will always be the back bone of our business strategy.

“The history of OGR has been an amazing story of major success and some very tough times. What OGR has achieved and delivered has been very significant and something that I am truly proud of.

“I would like to personally thank all of our loyal OGR staff and their families who live out the OGR culture in the roles they perform in our great company.

“I want to thank my father, Peter Roberts, for guiding me over the last 45 years with his wisdom and knowledge of both the motor industry, and life itself. I’ve only taught him how to drive my John Deere tractor.

“You have earned this recognition and you have earned this moment. You can truly now enjoy your retirement sailing off into the sunset and can leave knowing your legacy will continue with the next generation of car dealers following in your footsteps. Be them electric or hovercrafts.”

CELEBRATING A LIFETIME OF SERVICE: (Above) James Voortman – CEO of Australian Automotive Dealer Association (AADA), Peter Roberts – Managing Director of OGR, Karyn Roberts, Bryce Roberts – Dealer Principal of OGR, Frank Agostino – President of Motor Trade Association (MTA), David Blackhall – AADA Chairman