Orrman’s garage
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Walter Orrman operated the Dookie Quarry in the 1930s and first opened his service station on the corner of High and Archer Sts in Shepparton in 1938. In addition to selling petrol, he sold and serviced Dodge, Peugeot, Volkswagen, Porsche, Holden and Honda, along with Bedford trucks. In later years, Ken and Robert Orrman joined the business. The business closed in 1980, and the buildings were demolished for the Safeway Plaza, which opened in May 1982. The Woolworths supermarket took over Safeway in more recent years.
Facebook comments:
Rod Allen
My dad did his apprenticeship at Orrman’s. They used to put a Porsche motor into a VW Beetle and race it at Winton with sandbags in the front under the bonnet.
Colin Knight
The Orrmans were great people and ran a very successful Holden franchise for many years with a great reputation for quality sales and after-sales service.
Robert Muston
Rob Orrman ran the workshop, Ken the sales department, Audrey Ash in the office and Betty Ashe is in parts. I worked in spare parts from 1968 to 1971 with Bill Stark, Trevor Delrayne, Wayne McKellar and Wicksie.
Kieran Baker
My first car, HD Premier blue and white, still had the Orrman’s sticker on the rear window. Apparently, it was the mayor’s car at the time, around 1966.
Beth Farquharson
Janet Williams, I remember your dad’s caryard guard dog, Prince. A giant German shepherd. At least he seemed like a giant to me when we were playing in your backyard!
Colin Haigh
I worked for Rob and Ken from the mid-70s till the early 80s, when they sold the property!
Ingrid Turner
They don’t make cars like they used to. My mum is Rob and Ken’s sister. And my daughter found this old VW in a paddock near Shepp. After a lot of hard work, “Ernie” is a much-loved family member. It still has the Orrman’s sticker on the back window!
Helene Stuart
My dad bought Mrs Orrman’s car, a two-tone Dodge Overdrive. I thought it was the best car my dad ever bought. I got my driver's licence driving that car. Dad bought all his cars from the Orrman’s. He loved the Peugeot, but I loved the Dodge.
JB Harrington
I spent many years at Orrman’s Garage and the air-drome with Ken, Don McCrabb, Brian Fallis etc, working on aircraft. R.I.P. Wally Healey.
Frank Buckley
The tow truck looks like a Dodge Power Wagon modified with a later model Dodge truck cab.
Cathy Maree
I worked there in 1980 as a 16-year-old. It was my first job. Ken gave me a role in the spare parts department and switchboard. The phone system was ancient back then with the plug-in cord type. I remember Robbie was a lovely man — a great introduction to the workforce.
Artie Stevens
As a 13-year-old in about 1966, I used to annoy the sales guys looking over the cars in the showroom as if I could buy one.
Myrna Gretton
I remember roller skating around the bowsers at Orrman’s Garage with rellies when we were all young. Such good fun.
Mick Brennan
When I worked at Heywood’s Motor Panel in the early 70s, we purchased our parts from both Orrman’s and GV Motors. The rep from Orrman’s was Dave Tonks, a great bloke.
Craig-Lee Smith
Safeway opened its Shepparton store in the first week of May 1982 as a hypermarket; in addition to food and liquor, they also sold clothes, paint, LP records, toys and other variety store items. It was the biggest supermarket in Shepp at the time (until Coles Super Kmart came a few years later). I remember coming to the opening day after school. It was a big event, and a store and plaza this big was special!
Pics of the past columnist