Frank was born in 1926 in Manangatang and, as his father was a stationmaster with the Victorian Railways, the family moved to various places in Victoria. His parents transferred to Kyabram in November 1941 and Frank completed his education in Year 9 at Echuca Technical School. He commenced work at the age of 15 at McQueen’s Central Garage as a motor mechanic in January 1942 earning £1 ($2) a week. He learnt to drive in an Austin 7 at the age of 15 and drove passengers in Mr McQueen’s Hire Car — a 1936 Ford sedan. One of his jobs was to fumigate the ambulance when it was necessary.
Frank’s apprenticeship started at East End Garage in 1943 at the age of 16. He also attended about six night classes in welding in Echuca and received his apprenticeship certificate in April 1946.
At the age of 17 he was able to obtain his driver’s licence for a fee of five shillings (50 cents), even though he had been driving since the age of 15.
At East End Garage Frank worked on cars, trucks, tractors, stationary engines and farm machinery, working from 8am to 5.30pm or later. There was no overtime.
Frank bought his first car, a 1926 Model T Ford utility, for £20 in 1944.
His father, who did not own a car, was disgusted with him as at the time he only had £25 in the bank.
Frank’s passion for cars led him to buying and restoring many vehicles.
In 1947 he purchased a 1906 De Dion-Bouton for £5 which he used parts from for his next vehicle — a Model T Ford.
Some of the cars he owned up until 1962 were a 1927 Overland Whippet, a 1928 Jewett, a 1926 Oakland 6, a 1934 Ford Tourer, a 1936 Hillman single seater, a 1954 Austin A 40, a 1950 and a 1952 Vanguard and 1951 Rover.
Frank married Enid Hacon in 1956 and they lived all their married life in the same house in Oswald St where they raised a family of four sons — Glen, Bryce, Haydn and Ross.
In 1962, after 19 years with East End Garage, Frank and Enid purchased Pitt Motors at 292 Allan St, Kyabram, and commenced business as “Tobias Motors”, where in 1963 Frank gained his Senior Motor Mechanics’ Certificate. When they were old enough, two sons worked in the business: Haydn managed the office for seven years and Ross was Frank’s apprentice mechanic for five years.
Frank’s 52 years as a mechanic was at three sites at the east end of Allan Street: McQueen’s Central Garage for one year (237 Allan St); East End Garage for 19 years (367 Allan St); and Tobias Motors for 32 years (292 Allan St).
In 1994 Frank retired.
He was in his element in his large back yard shed at home, where he worked on and displayed his collection of all types of memorabilia including his great hobby of collecting and displaying spark plugs from all over the world — thousands of them. He was very meticulous with all of his work.
Frank always welcomed visitors and he liked to demonstrate some of his collection.
Frank and Enid both loved the times that they could dress up appropriately for the vehicles they were in for street parades and on other occasions. One such occasion was the Australia Day celebrations in 1994 at Pilley Reserve at Kyabram Fauna Park, where Enid and Frank arrived in Frank’s beautifully restored 1929 Chevrolet to join in the festivities. On that occasion they received the major award for the “window dressing competition” run by Kyabram Rotary Club with their display of memorabilia at Tobias Motors.
Frank was an active member of Kyabram Historical Society for well over 40 years and will be sadly missed for his excellent input, contributions and sense of humour.
His restoration of Willie Gee’s 1927 Capitol Chevrolet van is a tribute to his love of machinery and generosity, but that is another story which was in Looking Back in the Kyabram Free Press dated September 15, 2021.
— Compiled by Eileen Sullivan, Kyabram Historical Society voluntary librarian
