Trifecta Came Home 31 Years Later
Illawarra Mercury
Friday July 27, 2001
Apprentice mechanic Aaron Donnelly completed the trifecta for Harrigan Ford on Tuesday night.
It took 31 years to happen, but it was worth the wait.
Mr Donnelly, 22, of Wollongong, followed in the footsteps of former Harrigan Ford workers Roy George and Geoff Faulkner, who won the award for Light vehicle Automotive Apprentice of the Year awards in 1968 and 1970 respectively.
While Mr George and Mr Faulkner have gone on to start their own businesses within the industry, Mr Donnelly remains undecided about his future.
``I never expected to get the award but I am sure it's a good thing to have behind you," he said.
``I am pretty happy to follow in the tradition at Harrigan's."
Mr Donnelly is in his fourth and final year of his mechanics apprenticeship at Harrigan Ford.
``It's a good place to work and they treat you well, that's why I think they've had a couple of winners in the past," Mr Donnelly said.
Former winner Mr Faulkner now owns South Coast 4WD, while his friend Mr George owns Freedom Scooters and Mobility.
Both still have the award certificates in their office.
``It is something you can keep for ever and I am going to hang mine up again in the workshop," Mr Faulkner said.
© 2001 Illawarra Mercury