Former VACC president and well known automotive industry figure Max Kirwan Snr OAM has died.
Best known for heading Max Kirwan Mazda in Preston, his automotive career started with a post-war business opportunity when the Australian Army was looking to off-load some trucks that were surplus to requirements.
Using his Army severance pay, he purchased a handful of ex-army trucks at an auction in Darwin – at the time there was a Melbourne truck shortage, due to stock being sent north to support the war effort.
The move paid off for Kirwan and with a taste and talent for the automotive industry he went on to run dealerships in Fairfield and Coburg. The next move was a Ford dealership in 1956, before he approached Mazda and became a Mazda dealer in 1968 – when the Japanese company was not widely known in Australia.
Kirwan was an active figure in the automotive advocacy space – lending his expertise and experience to drive positive change across all sectors of automotive. He was a long-serving and current member of the VACC’s Victorian Automobile Dealers Association, as well as the Chamber’s Executive Board and Board of Management.
Taking on an instrumental role in the selling of the VACC Insurance Company in 1986, the earnings enabled the Chamber to keep annual membership fees low and bolster policy development and lobbying efforts.
VACC members will long benefit from the sound decision making of Kirwan and others, his legacy and sound business acumen has left the Chamber in a strong position to face future challenges.
Recognising the power of marketing, in the pre-internet era Kirwan presented his own radio show on 3AW – which ran for 23 years – to engage with consumers and promote Max Kirwan Mazda as a leading dealership. Motorists were encouraged to call into the show and get their automotive questions answered. What is my vehicle worth? When is the best time to purchase? What is the best vehicle for me? Kirwan had the answer.
Kirwan’s talents didn’t end there, in 2013 he put all his adventures down on paper and released his memoirs, Good one, Max.
To mark its release, Kirwan was interviewed by Australian Automotive magazine, now Australasian Automotive.
Kirwan was an Order of Australia recipient and carried Commonwealth and Olympic Games torches.
Reflecting on his achievements, Kirwan said he put it down to mindset.
“I have always been a community-minded person and have always contributed whatever I could from my income to community projects. I felt that if things needed doing, I would do them. I have always liked helping people and I have done that my whole life, as my history of awards will show,” Kirwan said.
Many dealers owe a debt of gratitude to Kirwan says the VACC. An innovator and entrepreneur before the terms were freely bandied about, a sharp mind and a true celebrity who had time for everyone.
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