MEET OUR TEAM

Meet The Team

RESPECT.ACCOUNTABILITY.PRIDE.IMPROVEMENT.DEPENDABILITY

Meet the Team that drive the Rapid Auto Repair business.

Company Director

Darren McMahon

darren@rapidauto.com.au

Years of experience in mechanical work:

Started as a teenager in 1985 and officially started my apprenticeship in 1990.

What is your area of expertise?:

I love all aspects of cars but really like to diagnose faults others can't

What initially sparked your interest in mechanical work?:

I think it was in my blood, my father was also a mechanic.

Describe a project you're particularly proud of. What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?:

I suppose starting my business as a one man show then getting my wife Tracy to come and help with invoicing and now have a team of 13 repairing over 100 cars a week.

What's your favorite tool or piece of equipment to work with and why?:

Lab Scope - It's a specialized piece of equipment used for all sorts of diagnostics and testing.

What's the most challenging aspect of being a mechanic for you?:

I'm not doing as much on the workshop floor now days but I think the cold winter days are hard to work in.

Share a memorable moment or achievement from your career as a mechanic:

My wife and I invited 2 stranded travellers to spend Christmas with our family after their car broke down.

What do you enjoy most about working as part of a team of mechanics?:

We are a fantastic team and I love being apart of it. We are all trying to grow and help each other everyday.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to pursue a career in mechanical work:

If you have a passion for cars then go for it.

Outside of work, what hobbies or interests do you have related to mechanical or hands on work?:

Restoring cars and houses, working on my farm and building sheds

What do you think sets our mechanics team apart from others?:

Our drive to be better than the rest

Operations Manager

Adrian Haeusler

adrian@rapidauto.com.au

Area of expertise?:

Customer service

What initially sparked your interest in mechanical work?:

I enjoy modifying cars, working out hard to diagnose issues.

Describe a project you're particularly proud of. What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?:

Modifying my Ute to make various wiring harnesses work together.

What's your favorite tool or piece of equipment to work with and why?:

Diagnostic scan tool because I am always learning it's features.

What's the most challenging aspect of being a mechanic for you?:

Keeping up with ever changing technologies.

Share a memorable moment or achievement from your career as a mechanic?:

My biggest achievement is working from apprentice - mechanic - manager.

What do you enjoy most about working as part of a team of mechanics?:

I enjoy getting other opinions and ideas on issues and resolution to problems.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to pursue a career in mechanical work?:

My advice would be to watch, listen and learn from as many people as possible.

Outside of work, what hobbies or interests do you have related to mechanical or hands on work?:

I enjoy working on and modifying vehicles.

What do you think sets our mechanics team apart from others?:

Our team has a wide knowledge base covering both dealership and aftermarket training. Our workshop has a can do attitude and are known to just get it done.

Office Manager/Avis Rentals

Kate Arndell

admin@rapidauto.com.au

avisgoulburn@absoutheast.com.au

What initially sparked your interest in mechanical work?:

Working on dads vehicles when I was younger really got me into the industry. Now working at a workshop where it gives me the chance to work on a variety of vehicles and learn off other mechanics.

What's the most challenging aspect of being a service advisor?:

Finding parts and the correct parts is really challenging, especially with so many different variations.

What do you enjoy most about working as part of a team of mechanics?:

The Rapid team is like a big family. If you are ever stuck on a job or finding aspects challenging the team will never hesitate in helping.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to pursue a career in mechanical work?:

If cars and parts are your passion, then go for it! It's the best experience and you'll have a wealth of knowledge under your belt.

Outside of work, what hobbies or interests do you have related to mechanical or hands on work?:

4wding, camping and working on dad's project cars and learning new things.

What do you think sets our mechanics team apart from others?:

The Rapid team are like a family, we work as a team and are always looking out for each other.

Service Advisor/Avis Rentals

Kim McGaw

reception@rapidauto.com.au

Area of expertise?:

Tyres

What initially sparked your interest in mechanical work?:

It's a industry that will still be around for a while yet. I enjoy learning something new and being empowered as a woman to understand the vehicle - rather than just drive it.

Whats the most challenging aspect of being part of them/service advisor role?:

Spare parts are challenging, super seeded parts, discontinued parts, second hand parts. Finding a solution/outcome to ensure the customer is happy.

What do you enjoy most about working as part of a team of mechanics?:

We are a family. Everyone is happy to chip in and work as a team. Happy to teach you something . Don't treat you different just because you are a woman.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to pursue a career in mechanical work?:

Have a passion for it, specialize in certain areas, have a point of difference that makes you good at what you do.

Outside of work, what hobbies or interests do you have related to mechanical or hands on work?:

Horse riding, camping and general animal husbandry

What do you think sets our mechanics team apart from others?:

I think our workshop is different from others as we are happy to work on any make or model.

Workshop Foreman/Qualified Mechanic

Jesse McCartney

What initially sparked your interest in mechanical work?:

I have a passion for cars, I love fixing them and modifying them.

Describe a project you're particularly proud of. What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?:

Installing a complete level ride air bag system. Height sensors was the biggest challenge, to overcome it I just kept learning how they worked.

Whats your favorite tool or piece of equipment to work with and why?:

Scan tool, there is always something new to learn and i find it interesting.

Whats the most challenging aspect of being a foreman for you?:

Allocating the correct jobs to the right techs

Share a memorable moment or achievement from your career as a mechanic?:

Becoming the workshop Foreman.

What do you enjoy most about working as part of a team of mechanics?:
Seeing everyone work together to achieve the best results as a team.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to pursue a career in mechanical work?:

Give it a go!

Outside of work, what hobbies or interests do you have related to mechanical or hands on work?:

Fixing family/mates cars. Modifying them, electrical work and airbag systems.

What do you think sets our mechanics team apart from others?:

The great work environment and everyone wanting the best for each other.

Senior Qualified Mechanic

Warwick Dawson

Area of expertise?:

Just about have done every part of the mechanical trade.

What initially sparked your interest in mechanical work?:

Working on my first car, a Mini 850

What's your favorite tool or piece of equipment?:

Rattle Gun

What's the most challenging aspect of being a mechanic for you?:

Solving problems with a car that everyone has had a go at.

What do you enjoy most about working as part of a team of mechanics?:

Helping the apprentices, fix and solve problems. Showing them the proper way

What advice would you give to someone who wants to pursue a career in mechanical work?:

Give it a go!

Outside of work, what hobbies or interests do you have related to mechanical or hands on work?:

Fixing golf clubs machinery as a volunteer, and at times fixing my EH and Ford Capri.

What do you think sets our mechanics team apart from others?:

We work as a team and communicate well.

Senior Qualified Mechanic

Darren Crombie

Area if expertise?:

Diagnostics, electrical and DPF systems

What initially sparked your interest in mechanical work?:

The work is hands on and I find it interesting

What's your favorite tool or piece of equipment and why?:

I would have to say an oscilloscope. We can see the work (waveform) that the component is doing

What do you enjoy most about being a mechanic?:

Being able to help and learn from other members of our team

What do you think set our mechanics team part from others?:

We don't say no to any job

Qualified Mechanic

Steven McCulloch

What is your area of expertise?:

The bigger jobs like engine swaps and gearbox replacements.

What initially sparked your interest in mechanical work?:

My dad was a mechanic, plus my interest is to fix cars.

Describe a project you're particularly proud of. What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?:

Doing my first land rover engine. Figuring out the very best way to tackle the job. Taking my time and doing heaps of research helped.

Whats your favorite tool or piece of equipment to work with and why?:

The diagnostic scan tool. Once you know how to use it you do can almost anything.

What the most challenging aspect of being a mechanic for you?:

The constant changing of the industry and keeping up to date.

What do you enjoy most about working as part of a team of mechanics?:

Having like minded people to discuss jobs with and getting a different opinion on issues.

What advice would you give someone who wants to pursue a career in mechanical work:?

It's hard work physically and mentally, but very enjoyable when you can fix your own vehicle.

Outside of work, what hobbies or interests do you have related to mechanical engineering or hands on work.

Love r/c nitro cars and fixing them when they brake.

What do you think set our mechanics team apart from others?:

We are very customer care driven, the customer always comes first.

We have guys from all different mechanical backgrounds and can cover a lot of different car brands.

2nd Year Apprentice Mechanic

Liam Carey

Area of expertise?:

As an apprentice I don't really have an area, I am hoping to specialise is 4x4 work and suspension.

What initially sparked your interest in mechanical work?:

I have always had a project car at home to play around with

Describe a project you are particularly proud of. What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?:

Working on my drift ute and doing a clutch on the ground as fun and a good challenge for me.

What's your favourite tool or piece of equipment?:

The scan tool has helped me improve my skills

What's the most challenging aspect of being a mechanic for you?:

Remembering how long term jobs go back together after not working on them for a few weeks.

Share a memorable moment or achievement from you career as a mechanic:

Assisting in my first engine job as a apprentice.

What do you enjoy most about working as part of a team of mechanics?:

Gaining skills from different areas and different mechanics.

What advice would you give someone who wants to pursue a career in mechanical work?:

Don't be scared to ask for work experience, give it a go

Outside of work, what hobbies or interests do you have related to mechanical or hands on work?:

I am currently doing a engine swap in my falcon drift car.

What do you think sets or mechanics team part from others?:

We are all team players.

2nd Year Apprentice Mechanic

Leigh Butcher

Area of expertise?:

Servicing

What initially sparked your interest in mechanical work?:

Wanted too be able to fix my own and family vehicles.

Describe a project you're particularly proud of. What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?:

Removing the head off my partners pajero due to timing belt failure, the vehicle had bent valves. I put it back together and had the vehicle running.

What's your favorite tool or piece of equipment to work with and why?:

All of them, because without them no mechanical work would be possible.

What's the most challenging aspect of being a mechanic for you?:

Electrical

Share a memorable moment or achievement from you career as a mechanic?:

I once pulled a body off the chassis completely off a Landrover.

What do you enjoy most about working as part of a team of mechanics?:

If you get stuck on something there is always someone to ask and help you.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to pursue a career in mechanical work?:

Once you know what you are doing it is a fun career.

Outside of work, what hobbies or interests do you have related to mechanical or hands on work?:

Working on my families cars at home and researching to learn more.

What do you think sets or mechanics team apart from others?:

Very friendly with a wealth of knowledge in multiple areas

1st Year Apprentice Mechanic

Zak Tandy-Oneil

What initially sparked your interest in mechanical work?:

I loved working on personal cars. All of my mates had me work on the vehicles and showing me all the different parts. I thought this was the career for me.

Describe a project you're particularly proud of?:

Refitting a rear quarter panel to my personal project. Learning to stitch weld was great

What's the most challenging aspect of being a mechanic for you?:

Learning every car may have the same technology but work in many different ways.

Share a memorable moment or achievement from your careers as a mechanic:

When I am with the qualified techs completing big jobs such as engines and gearbox replacements.

What do you enjoy most about working as part of a team of mechanics?:

Everyone within the Rapid team shows respect for each other no matter what. It makes it a great place to work at.

What advice would you give someone who wants to pursue a career in mechanical work?:

If you can work on cars for free then this is the career for you

Outside of work, what hobbies or interests do you have related to mechanical or hands on work?:

I love to go 4WDing and spending most afternoons and weekends rebuilding and replacing parts on my GQ Patrol.

What do you think sets our mechanic team apart from others?:

The workers are more like a family

1st Year Apprentice Mechanic

Lachlan Jones

What initially sparked your interest in mechanical work?:

When I went to a car show when I was young I saw heaps of project cars and it really sparked my interest.

What's your favourite tool or piece of equipment to work with and why?:

All tools have everyday use, but if I had to choose it would be the 3/8 ratchet it's reliable and efficient.

What's the most challenging aspect of being a mechanic for you?:

Getting jobs done within the timeframe

Share a rememberable moment or achievement from your career as a mechanic?:

Assisting in my first transmission replacement

What do you most enjoy about working as part of a team of mechanics?:

Everyone has experience in different areas and you are always learning.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to pursue a career in mechanical work?:

Don't be afraid to ask questions.

Outside of work, what hobbies or interest do you have related to mechanical or hands on work?:

Working on families cars and going to car shows

What do you think sets our mechanics team apart from others?:

Compared to other mechanic teams, this is the biggest I have seen.

Safety Supervisor

Pippa

Favourite food?:

Schmackos and frozen veggies

Favourite thing to do in the workshop?:

Sleep on my comfy bed and wondering around checking on all the mechanics

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