ROB Lee first found his passion for mechanics tinkering with his dad's speedway cars on their south-west dairy farm.
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"Probably from the time I was nine or 10 I was around that all the time," Mr Lee said.
One was a Holden FC and the other a Holden LJ Torana.
Five years later started an apprenticeship in Terang with a Holden dealer.
Now a Callaghan Motors service manager in Warrnambool, he's been working on Holdens for 41 years.
But after moving "to the big smoke" to work at Callaghan Motors 36 and a half years ago, Mr Lee has now clocked up enough mileage to call time on his career.
"I just feel the time is right for me," he said.
Mr Lee said the Warrnambool dealership had brought opportunities such as overseas travel with car manufacturers, including to Germany, China and the US.
A service manager for 25 years, he previously held foreman and service adviser positions.
In the past 10 years he took out national service manager of the year awards from Mercedes, and the statewide title from Mitsubishi and Holden.
"I am a fairly loyal sort of person and I enjoyed what I do," Mr Lee said.
"No two days are the same and I enjoy building relationships with people and customers.
"The amount of product that comes through because of our multi franchises means there's always something new.
"There are some customers who have been coming and buying their cars from Callaghans for 50 or 60 years."
Dealer principal Steve Callaghan said when a customer broke down anywhere in Australia, Rob would know who to call.
"Rob would know a service manager somewhere who could get the customer out of trouble," Mr Callaghan said.
"He had the old school knowledge and the new technical knowledge.
"His contribution has helped grow the business from three brands to what it is today."
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