In Conversation with Benjamin Stevenson
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Twilight Talks 2025, Season 1 | Ballarat’s Changing Scene – Change in Ballarat’s Car Industry

March 19

@

5:30 pm

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6:30 pm

Bar open at 5pm

$9.73 – $13.83

Humffray Room

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Changes in Ballarat's Car Industry

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

Dr Phil Roberts OAM Phil Roberts is the co-ordinator of the BMI Twilight Talks and BMI Patron. He is a former secondary school history teacher and school principal and author of 23 books with a concentration on Ballarat.

Dr Phil Roberts OAM

Panel Members

Peter Stevens Peter 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 John came to Ballarat in 1977 and started a business at 204 Creswick Road mostly selling new European cars. For the new 27 years John and his wife Helen ran a successful business. John was a renowned Motor Sports commentator including at the Adelaide and Tasmanian Grand Prix Rallies.

John Emery

Garry Harrowfield Garry joined the new vehicle industry in August of 1974 trading as Gardon Motors Ballarat on the north east corner of Mair and Doveton Streets. In October 1978 we moved to a new purpose built facility at 1041 Howitt St Wendouree. Over the 33 years in business we held, at various times, the franchises for Renault, Peugeot…original franchises…. SAAB, Volvo Daihatsu, Subaru, Jaguar, Land Rover and Rover vehicles. The business was sold in August 2007 to Mr Chris Alizzi of Ballarat Holden.

Garry Harrowfield

Barry Bedggood Barry started in the Ballarat motor industry in 1969 as a Motor Cycle Dealer. Then, from August 1988, he conducted a Used Vehicle Centre on the corner of Howitt and Dowling Streets until he became a New Car Dealer for Kia in 2009. His business moved to a larger site in Learmonth Road in 2015. By 2025 he retails Kia, Peugeot, Chery, Ssangyong, LDV and Franklin Caravans.

Barry Bedggood

Much More Than Cars | Phil Roberts

This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong

Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities.

Tickets and Bookings

Tickets $9.73 BMI members & $13.83 general admittance, includes gst & bkg fee.

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