Motor Dealers of South Australia help to get food to more places in need.

Foodbank SA has the largest geographical reach of any food relief charity in South Australia. Now working with more than 694 charities and 550 School Programs we need to ensure we are committed to mission to get the most food, to the most people in need, the most efficient way possible.

As the State’s largest provider food relief in South Australia, Foodbank have historically maintained a fleet of 12 vehicles to support the ever-increasing demand for our services. Unfortunately, our fleet was ageing and in urgent need of upgrading to support both the rural expansion and the increase in demand. Foodbank had an immediate need to increase our fleet to include an additional five 4 x 2 Refrigerated vehicles to service metropolitan and our regional branch food collection and distribution.

The Motor Dealers of South Australia were able to come on board to support the cause, with a financial commitment to fund five new 4×2 Refrigerated vehicles, including branding of the vehicles. Foodbank now have three of the donated vehicles located in Mount Gambier, Whyalla and Murray Bridge supporting our regional operation, with the remaining two units remaining in metropolitan Adelaide. The funds also enabled contribution for a sixth unit, a fleet vehicle to replace the current vehicle for the Operation Manager, who responsible for maintaining food donor and procurement relationships (the old vehicle had passed the 400,000kms).

The vehicles proudly carry the branding “Donated by The Motor Dealers of South Australia.”

“The support provided by the Motor Dealers of SA will ensure that Foodbank SA can get more food to more people in need across the state. This is more than a mere donation – it is a great example of the business community demonstrating their commitment to SA, having a true impact where it is needed the most. These vehicles will have a positive long-term impact on the food security in this state. Helping us toward our vision of ending hunger. ”- Greg Pattinson, CEO, Foodbank SA.

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About the Automotive Association

Automotive Exhibitors Association (AEA) was formed by a group of leading South Australian dealers and distributors in 1969 to provide South Australia with an international standard motor show, as the industry had outgrown its traditional home for many years the Royal Adelaide Show. For many years prior what is known today as the Showbag Hall (Wayville Pavilion) was formerly the Motor Pavilion showcasing the latest passenger and commercial vehicles of the time.

Foundation Board Members

Jim Crawford – CMV Limited
Jim Freeman  – Freeman Motors
R Sprod – York Motors
Ion Ullett – Maughan Thiem Ford
N Schutze
H Glenney
K Simmons
A White – Adelaide Motors Group

The first standalone Adelaide Motor Show was held at the Adelaide Showground March 1971 joining the national circuit of motor shows held in each capital city. 2008 saw the last motor show as the Global Financial Crisis hit and vehicle manufacturers withdrew their support for many shows locally and internationally. In Australia Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth shows were cancelled for 2009 with Melbourne and Sydney fading within 3-4 years.

AEA was managed by a board comprising representation from dealers and manufacturers to ensure a high standard of presentation was maintained in support of the retail industry. Its first Executive Director was Alf Brooker who built the event to an outstanding success.

In addition to underwriting the running of the Adelaide Motor Show AEA has applied its resources to support the motor industry in South Australia in many ways including:

  • Maintained an historic association with the Royal Adelaide Show underwriting a Dealer representation at the Show until 2006 when availability of sufficient space became an issue.
  • Financial assistance to the Birdwood Motor Museum to create a permanent commercial vehicle presence at the museum.
  • The creation of a Chair in Automotive Management at the University of Adelaide to provide professional training and recognition facilities for dealership management.
  • Commissioned the recording and documentation of the retail dealer history of South Australia, now on file at the Mortlock Library.
  • Financial contributions to industry funds supporting dealer franchise rights.

 

In 2009 AEA management reviewed future options on how the organisation might best serve the retail dealer body with an event, whereby individual dealers could still present their businesses and latest product offerings at an affordable cost. The answer, the Adelaide 4WD Show coupled with the SA Boat & Fishing Show a natural synergy between the two, coinciding with the early signs of the potential growth in the 4WD and SUV market segments.

The new event was successfully launched in October 2010 at the Adelaide Showground and has now grown into a nationally recognised annual event run over three days. Attracting an attendance of 11,000 in year one to a consistent 23,000 plus in recent years utilising all available suitable exhibition space, both indoor and outdoor, the Showground offers. Total participating exhibitors in 2022 were a record 181 across all facets of the show.

In reviewing further options to support and promote the Motor Dealers of SA in a practical manner, the current board looked to suitable charitable organisations requiring financial assistance and identified Foodbank SA as best fitting this requirement.

AEA Board Members:

Murry Forbes, President – Maugham Thiem Motor Group
Leroy Uren, Vice President – Lakeside NISSAN
Hillar Puvi – Formula Honda Group
Roy Marando – CMV Group
Peter Roberts – OGR Group
Mike Sinclair – Club Marine Insurance
Mike Claridge – Formerly Claridge Holden
Bruce McFarlane AM – Formerly Maughan Thiem Sales Pty Ltd.
Ian Digby OAM – Executive Director