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. 

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