Battery Point Community

The business is owned by three brothers, Gary, Simon and Peter Muller, who are all mechanics and share the workload.

The garage was built in 1927 for Thomas Layton. A J Fulton took over the business during the Depression and made modifications to the building in the mid 1930s. A room above the garage was added later. His son Bob managed the garage with Tom Williamson for many years. John Muller started working for Tom in 1958 and briefly left before returning in the early 1960s when Bob left. John took over the garage in 1978. He died in 2000 but his sons Peter, Garry and Simon carry on the family tradition that is Bob and Tom’s.

Tom Williamson’s niece Cheryl, a Battery Point resident, has fond memories of her uncle. ‘Tom was a hard worker, an improviser and a dabbler.

As a young man, he did an apprenticeship at the EZ Company and rented the room above the garage. He became friends with Bob and began helping him on weekends.

When Tom finished his apprenticeship, Bob invited him to work for him in the business. This led to a successful, long-term partnership.’

Cheryl recalls that Tom was always happy to help people in need, but was ‘old school’ in believing that everyone had to earn what they got. ‘He was keen on having a succession plan for the business and helped prepare John to take over when he left.’