By Alesha Capone
Trev Ryan’s family has lived in Werribee for three generations. He runs Dirt Road 4×4 & Autophix Australia in Werribee and is a long-time member of the Werribee District 4WD Club. He chats with Alesha Capone.
How did you start out in the business?
I lost my dad in 2018 and I took some time off. I felt that I’d made a lot of money for a lot of people and moving forward, I wanted to do something for myself. I opened the shop in December, I’d been operating as a home-based business since the February before that. Unfortunately, COVID really killed us as a business. I had invested a lot of money in the business but COVID came almost straight away, so I couldn’t get out and do what I do best, which is selling and being on the road. I’m the national distributor of Autophix Australia, that’s how I started (with this business). You had to sell a lot of stock, so I was stuck with $60,000 worth of goods when COVID hit.
I thought I’d diversify and I had been dabbling in 4WDs for a bit, after being involved with 4x4s for more than 20 years. I have a friend who does camper trailers, Goldfields Campers, and I had a shed, so we teamed up for that side of the business. We really market to tourers. Not getting people through the door here is a big problem, so every waking hour I find that I’m on social media and selling online. My customers are Australia-wide, but I’d love more locals.
Are you involved with any community groups?
I’ve sponsored the Werribee Angling Club and Werribee & District Collectable Vehicle Club. I’m really into Monaros, I have been into them for a long time. When I was 22, which was many years ago now, I had a Monaro.
I’ve been in the Werribee District 4WD Club for a long, long time. I’ve been president three times, on the committee for about 11 years and I’m the current trip co-ordinator. I’ve got a real passion for that – I’ve been all over Australia and I like going on track tracks less travelled which others don’t see as much, because they don’t have a 4WD.
You have a strong family connection to Werribee?
My uncle Jack was the Australian singles champion in lawn bowls. My mum, Audrey, was a Hosking before she married. Mum’s family house where she grew up, is where Bridgestone is on the main street now, with the river at the back. My grandfather Gilbert was a local firefighter and electrician. Grandpa Hosking ran the old cinema, the Picture Palais, on Station Street. Mum was an usher and she was known for riding her bike everywhere. On the Ryan side, my grandfather was one of the first people in the RAAF and an aerial photographer. He received an MBE from the king, Queen Elizabeth’s father, for his service.
What has changed in Werribee, since you were young?
I’ve always lived in Werribee. Everything’s changed – some things not really for the better. I remember when Heaths Road was a dirt road. I remember the old bluestone ford (near Werribee River), which goes back a long time. I think the council has made some mistakes along the way, all the estates going up along Ballan Road.
Would you like to add anything else?
I have two beautiful daughters, one is a triple-0 call taker and the other is at university.
