Dungog’s Davey & Olsen closes after 107 years

AFTER 107 years of serving Dungog and the surrounding district, Davey & Olsen will close its doors this Friday, 30 October.

The closure marks the end of one of the town’s longest-running family businesses.

For current owner Tim Olsen, the closure brings to an end a working life deeply connected to his family, his staff and the community he has served for more than four decades.

Now 60, Olsen followed his father, the late Jim Olsen, into the workshop after finishing Year 10, continuing a family connection that began with his grandfather, Oscar Olsen.

From its early days as a mechanical workshop to its enduring associations with Ford and the NRMA, Davey & Olsen has been a familiar presence for generations of local families, farmers and motorists.

The business began in 1919, when Oscar and his mate Sid Davey opened a workshop in Dungog.

The following year, they moved into a former blacksmith’s shop on Dowling Street, establishing the business in the historic commercial precinct it would call home for more than a century.

It was a period of change in regional transport, as the trades that had supported horse-drawn vehicles adapted to the growing use of motor vehicles.

A defining chapter began in 1925, when Davey & Olsen became an authorised Ford dealership, establishing a partnership that would span 100 years.

As vehicle ownership increased and construction of Chichester Dam brought activity to the district, the garage supplied the mechanical skills, parts and services needed by local farmers and motorists.

In 1935, the business became an NRMA district depot, extending its work beyond the garage through towing and emergency roadside assistance.

That association would continue for more than 90 years.

Oscar’s sons, Geoff and Jim, joined the business during the late 1940s and early 1950s, strengthening the family’s involvement.

In 1953, more than 400 people attended the official opening of a modernised showroom, marking another milestone in the business’s development.

Oscar Olsen bought out Sid Davey in the late 1960s, bringing the garage fully into Olsen family ownership while retaining its established name.

Tim Olsen began his apprenticeship in 1982 and took over as Dealer Principal in 2002, carrying the business into its third generation.

During his time at the helm, the workshop continued to adapt to advances in automotive technology and changing servicing requirements.

The premises’ historical significance was recognised in 2008, when the Dungog Historical Society installed a plaque on the building’s street frontage, acknowledging its connection to the town’s early motoring history.

Davey & Olsen celebrated its centenary in 2019.

In October 2025, it marked two further milestones: 100 years with Ford and 90 years with the NRMA.

Ford Regional Manager Haydn Oakes presented Tim Olsen with a commemorative plaque recognising the century-long partnership.

In its later years, the business continued as a Ford Parts, Servicing and Warranty Dealer, while also servicing other vehicle makes and models.

Its work included repairs to lawnmowers and chainsaws, along with supplying parts, lubricants and equipment for local households and businesses.

Behind that broad range of services were the family and staff whose knowledge and longstanding customer relationships helped sustain the garage.

The closure brings together decades of work, memories of his father and grandfather, and concern for those who have shared the journey.

For staff and customers, it means farewelling a familiar part of Dungog life.

Tim Olsen is looking forward to retirement with his wife, Jeannie, and spending more time with their grandchildren.

A well-deserved overseas family trip in 2027 is also on the horizon, giving the couple something special to look forward to as they begin their next chapter.

When the doors close on 30 October, Davey & Olsen will leave a legacy built over 107 years of family commitment and service to the district.

By Tracey BENNETT