In the past 52 years a lot has certainly changed, but one thing that has remained constant is Des’ love for mechanics and his commitment to the community he lives in.

When Des left school in Armidale at the end of 1955 he began his apprenticeship at Hardman’s Garage, Armidale he learnt his trade on Buicks, Pontiacs, Mercedes-Benz and Vauxhall motorcars by watching other mechanics work and getting his hands dirty.

“Books and computers will only get you so far when you want to be a mechanic - the best way to learn is always by getting in there and getting your hands dirty.

“I have always lived by that, when your mum tells you as a child not to touch the stove you do, you get burnt and you learn not to do that again, hands-on learning is the way to do it.”

Des stayed at Hardman’s for ten years, working at nights and on weekends for the Ambulance service, when he was offered a permanent position at the Inverell Ambulance Station.

“When I started in the Ambulance Service, all the stations had workshops and we weren’t out on jobs we were servicing the vehicles, everything had to be nice and shiny in those days - including our boots!”

Des was at the Inverell Ambulance Service until 1976, when he returned to his first passion, mechanics at the Ampol Service Station operating under the name Trim and Clark Pty Ltd.

Des soon struck out on his own and Clark’s Auto Centre began and it has operated under the same name until this Monday when Robert Short commences operations.

Des has not just limited himself to running his business over the years, and was a founding member of the Inverell Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA) after a highway patrol officer approached him after a horrific accident where people were trapped in a vehicle for a long time.