Antonella Abbate • 4 June 2024

Vale - Ken Jarrett

Ken studied the Automotive Mechanics Trade Course at the Sydney Technical College, Ultimo, completing the course in 1950.  His apprenticeship as a 16-year-old was served at the Beaver Garage, Pacific Highway, Waitara, on the site of the current McDonalds.


He commenced his career at Doug Bell Automotive Repairs, Hookhams Corner, Hornsby. He spent some time in the 60’s at Galston Motors, a Ford dealership at Galston, before returning to Doug Bell’s as the foreman for a period of time before setting up his own business.


From 1973 Ken and his wife leased the Golden Fleece Service Station on Old Northern Road at Middle Dural.  Ken would operate his automotive repair business from the workshop and while Marjorie would pump the petrol; order the spare parts and maintain the books among many chores.

In 1982 they sold the lease of the service station and moved to Arcadia, where they set up K and M Jarrett Pty Ltd in a workshop at the old Arcadia Juice Factory building on Arcadia Road. They worked in this business until their retirement in 1994.


Ken’s lifelong passion was motor vehicles. Before he turned 20, he had owned a couple of motor bikes, a Triumph and an BSA; followed by a Chevrolet Roadster and later a green MG TD.  A Morris Minor followed; later a Vauxhall Victa; and over the years various Ford models; a couple more Morris Minors; a Ford Panel Van; a Toyota Hi-Ace van; and in later years two Mazdas.  Being passionate about his vehicles, he kept a lifetime notebook where he recorded dates of bike and car purchases; maintenance schedules; sale dates etc.


He was also an enthusiastic motor sport fan. He attended many race meetings over his life including Bathurst, Amaroo Park and Eastern Creek events as well as F1 and Motorcycle Grand Prix in Australia and historic car and bike meetings.


The Jarrett family are very pleased that some of his tools will be of use to an upcoming automotive repair person.



The IAME would like to thank the Jarrett Family who have generously donated Automotive Tools and Equipment which belonged to Ken Jarrett, a passionate Automotive Mechanic who recently passed away. 
The IAME Board of Directors and Staff sincerely pass on our condolences to the family.

The Tools and Equipment donated will be given to some of our first year Automotive Apprentices. 

Toyota to Offer Factory GVM Upgrade on Selected Models

by Antonella Abbate • 28 May 2026
Toyota Australia is set to introduce a factory-backed Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) upgrade package for selected four-wheel-drive models from August, providing owners with a higher legal payload capacity while retaining full factory warranty support and compliance.

Australia’s EV Love Affair Accelerates – and China is Leading the Charge

by Antonella Abbate • 25 May 2026
Across the Tasman this week, Chinese automotive giant BYD confirmed that almost 5,000 electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles are currently bound for Australia aboard its own dedicated vehicle carrier, the BYD Zhengzhou. The shipment, carrying 4,810 vehicles, marks the first Australian voyage of one of BYD’s purpose-built roll-on/roll-off vessels and is expected to dock in Melbourne before continuing to Sydney and Brisbane. What makes this story significant is not simply the size of the shipment, but what it says about the Australian market. BYD has already announced plans to bring an additional 30,000 new-energy vehicles to Australia in the coming months as demand for electric vehicles and hybrids continues to surge. For decades, Australian motorists were among the most loyal supporters of Japanese manufacturers, with brands from Toyota, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan and Honda dominating local driveways. Few industry observers would have predicted that Chinese brands would achieve such rapid acceptance. Yet Australian consumers have embraced brands such as BYD, MG, GWM, Chery, Geely, Zeekr and others with remarkable speed, treating many of them as though they have been established players for generations. Australia’s transition mirrors trends seen throughout Europe and North America, where consumers are increasingly seeking lower running costs, improved technology, longer warranties and electrified drivetrains. The difference in Australia is that much of this growth is being driven by Chinese manufacturers rather than traditional Western brands. Affordability, strong specifications, competitive warranty programs and rapid product development have reshaped buyer perceptions almost overnight. BYD’s decision to deploy its own shipping fleet to Australia is perhaps the clearest signal yet that global manufacturers now view Australia as a strategic growth market. When a manufacturer is prepared to invest in dedicated logistics to deliver thousands of vehicles directly to Australian customers, it demonstrates confidence not only in its products but also in the appetite of Australian motorists for electrified transport. The message is simple: Australia's EV and hybrid revolution is no longer coming—it has arrived, and Chinese manufacturers are playing a leading role in shaping the next chapter of the nation's automotive landscape.

Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) announces new appointments

by Antonella Abbate • 25 May 2026
Mr Lamb brings decades of diverse leadership experience across various sectors, both domestically and internationally. Most recently, he served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Murray-Darling Association. Previously, Mr Lamb has held several executive roles with distinct peak body organisations, where he worked closely with government and industry. During his tenure, assisted many organisations to transition into new strategies and methodologies. With his notable experience, he is well positioned to lead the ARC at a time when the refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) industry is growing at a rapid pace. Mr Lamb succeeds Glenn Evans, who concluded his tenure in December 2025 after 17 years of service. ARC Chair Dr Greg Picker said he was pleased to welcome Mr Lamb to mark the next phase for the Council, which leads national governance of the RAC (also known as ARCtick) Permit Scheme. “The Board is pleased to appoint Mark Lamb as our new CEO. We look forward to working with him as we continue to deliver the ARCtick permit scheme and improve our service to industry. His passion and experience in leading peak body organisations perfectly aligns with the ARC’s priorities at this time and our vision for the future,” Dr Picker said. “It is a crucial time for the industry, and the Board is confident Mark will help us build on our momentum and continue deliver meaning outcomes for the ARC and the broader industry.”  Commenting on his appointment, Mr Lamb said, “I am thrilled to be given this opportunity to play this significant role, not just at the Australian Refrigeration Council, but in the refrigeration and air conditioning industry.