Long-term mechanics and mates tune up new business

By Murray Silby

Sep 14, 2023

**Partnership:** Mates since they worked as apprentices together in the late 1990s, Tim Hunt and Wayne Miller have opened their own business. Photo by Murray Silby

Two mates, who have been working on cars since they were teens, have joined forces to open their own mechanics business, Shepp City Automotive.

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Wayne Miller and Tim Hunt have known each other since they started as apprentices with Alan Roe Automotive in the late 1990s.

“I was Al’s first apprentice and I reckon Wayne was his third, so we’ve worked together since 1999,” Mr Hunt said.

Running his own business has been a long-term ambition for Mr Miller.

“I’ve wanted to do this for a long time,” he said.

“It’s one of my biggest dreams that I’ve had. This was one of my ultimate dreams.”

When approached by Mr Miller to join him in business, it only took a little thought for Mr Hunt to snap up the opportunity.

“I never thought I would actually do it but when Wayne put the offer to me, and I sort of ummed and aahed a little bit, and then I sort of thought to myself, you know what, I’m going to take this chance. Let’s do it,” Mr Hunt said.

Shepp City Automotive is open Monday to Friday in Keppel St and offers all the services you would expect from a local mechanic, including servicing of new cars still under warranty.

“We do all kinds of servicing — small passenger vehicles, all the way up to four-wheel-drives, motorhomes, basically anything that drives around on the street,” Mr Miller said.