Century of service for Davey & Olsen

A CENTURY of service is no small milestone, and this month Dungog’s own Davey and Olsen Pty Ltd marked an extraordinary 100 years as a Ford dealer, along with 90 years as an NRMA Road Service provider.

On Thursday 16 October, Haydn Oakes, Ford’s Regional Manager, visited Dungog to present a commemorative 100-year plaque recognising the business’s rare and enduring partnership with the iconic automotive brand.

Davey and Olsen’s story began in 1919, when two mates, Oscar Olsen and Sid Davey, opened a mechanical workshop in Dungog.

Just six years later, in 1925, they joined forces with Ford, becoming one of the very first authorised Ford dealers in Australia.

Though they now operate as a Parts, Servicing and Warranty Dealer, their Ford connection remains a proud cornerstone of the business.

The Olsen family’s involvement has spanned generations.

Oscar’s sons Geoff and Jim joined the business in the late 1940s and early 1950s, with Oscar eventually buying out Sid Davey in the mid-1960s.

Tim Olsen, Jim’s son, began as an apprentice in 1982 and later became Dealer Principal in 2002, ensuring the business stayed proudly family-run.

In 1935, Davey and Olsen signed on with the National Roads and Motorists’ Association (NRMA) as a district depot, a relationship that continues today through towing and roadside assistance services.

Over the decades they’ve seen dramatic changes in both the Ford and NRMA organisations, from new models and technologies to shifting ownership and policies, yet their local reputation for reliability and community service has never wavered.

From humble beginnings to a centennial celebration, Davey and Olsen’s legacy reflects Dungog’s enduring spirit, a blend of loyalty, hard work, and pride in keeping locals on the road for more than a century.
By Shannon BENTON