One of our proudest moments was when Ian created the concept of the high-pressure fuel filter system now standard in every Toyota Hilux and Prado.
Developed in collaboration with Toyota Technical, the system was designed specifically to meet the rigorous demands of rural conditions, and for better outcomes with our agricultural fuels long-term reliability and performance.
It’s humbling to know that a piece of our ingenuity travels far beyond our region in every vehicle Toyota puts on the road.
Witnessing the incredible dedication Toyota pours into vehicle testing and development - through time, resources, and expert minds - has been a privilege to be part of.
Yet through it all, one truth has always guided us - it’s family that makes it happen.
When Toyota once asked how difficult is it to find staff in rural areas, we simply replied: “It’s easy - we just breed them”.
All six of our children have worked in the business at one point or another, bringing their own strengths to the table and helping shape the future of what we’ve built together.
From our roots at Lugsdin Toyota and Hay Mitsubishi, to our new chapter with Deniliquin Toyota, Rural Ford, and Deniliquin Hyundai, our path has always been shaped by service, community, and care.
As a sixth-generation farming family, with ancestors settling in Gunbar in 1878, agriculture is embedded into our identity.
Our self-replacing Merino enterprise northeast of Hay keeps us hands-on with the land, deeply passionate about merino wool, land stewardship, and the future of sustainable farming.
Now, with the exciting addition of Deniliquin Motor Group into our fold, we’re taking that legacy even further.
The decision to purchase Deniliquin Motor Group isn’t just about cars. It’s about coming together to continue providing the quality, reliability, and customer-first service you've come to expect.
This expansion brings the strength of Deniliquin Toyota, Rural Ford, and Deniliquin Hyundai under our care, setting a new benchmark for excellence in service and community connection.
As we merge operations, our focus remains firmly on you - our valued customers, neighbours, and friends.
You can continue to count on us for the same warm service, now with even more possibilities to explore.
Deniliquin and Hay share more than riverbanks and shearing sheds - they both embody the quiet brilliance of rural life: miles from anywhere, yet minutes from everything.
Deniliquin’s diverse agricultural mix, vibrant community, and strong sporting spirit make it the perfect place for our family’s next chapter.
We’ve always believed success means giving back. Our family has spent decades actively contributing to local boards, regional shows, wool and water advisory groups, revegetation projects, and rural fire services.
Ian and Stacey’s commitment runs deep - from representing irrigators to helping manage community banks and advocating on national wool boards.
That’s not just involvement, it’s investment in the future of our region.
Sponsoring events like the Hay Sheep Show, the Hay Lions Football & Netball Club, and the Riverina Ram Expo (a longtime vision of Ian’s) isn’t about logos - it’s about loyalty. Loyalty to the places and people who’ve shaped us.
Working with our family and watching the next generation take the reins is as rewarding as anything we’ve achieved.
Our aim has never been just to run a business - it’s to help our community thrive, to support the land we cherish, and to remain a trusted part of rural life in Australia.
Whether you find us behind the counter, on the farm, or around the show ring, know this: we’re not just here for today - we’re here for generations. And we’re excited to walk this road with you.
~ Contributed by the Lugsdin Family.
