Over 100 years supporting automotive businesses

 

In 1918, Victoria’s rapidly growing retail automotive industry saw 15,150 vehicles and 27,424 licensed drivers in the state.

It was during this turbulent time that two car-dealer brothers, Henry and Percy Rickards, along with Montague Simes, realised that larger international counterparts could force smaller, local companies out of the marketplace. They called together a group of garage owners to meet at the Bendigo Chamber of Commerce on 20 September 1918, and registered a new industry association, the Retail Motor Dealers’ Association of Victoria. 

Present day issues such as industrial disputes and skilled labour shortages were occurring as far back as 1918. To rectify these challenges, the association began to introduce a number of committees: the foundation of VACC’s current operation.

Soon there were calls to increase the scope of the association to cover allied motor trades and on 14 April 1920 the association was renamed the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC).

VACC purchased real estate on St Kilda Road in 1956, becoming the first motor industry association in the southern hemisphere to own freehold property. On 4 September 1958, accompanied by an eight-page newspaper supplement and car cavalcade, Victorian Premier, Henry Bolte, officially opened VACC House.

Over the years, VACC has grown to incorporate all facets of the automotive industry, including passenger vehicles, motorcycles, heavy vehicles and farm machinery, in the retail, service, repair and manufacturing sectors.

Today VACC, now the Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce, provides key business support services to members including:

  • Dealing with member, consumer and industry issues
  • Developing and publishing automotive industry research
  • Advocating on behalf of members to governments and other agencies
  • Producing regular communications and publications
  • Promoting automotive industry skills, training and careers.

 

VACC LIFE MEMBERS

Joe Shneider OAM

Perce Makin

Russell Stuckey

Peter Savige