Did you know that our Service Manager, Tony Hunter, began his Toyota career in February 1982, as a 2nd year apprentice mechanic in Nambour? In 1982 the business was called Bailey Motors, it's now our Ken Mills Toyota Nambour dealership.

At Bailey Motor's Tony got his hands dirty, learning not only how to fix Toyotas, but Volvo, Hino and Mercedes-Benz too. Whilst Bailey Motors is no longer there, Tony most definitely is. In fact, he just celebrated 40, rewarding, years working for Toyota. Tony's celebratory highlight, was when the boys in the workshop "got together" and gave him a thoughtful card and a gift.

TONY'S STORY

Tony moved from Bailey Motors to a sub-branch, based in Caloundra where Woolies (near Golden Beach) now stands, to continue his training and development. The dealership was sold to Medley Ford, and in 1988 Tony moved to Coastal Motors at Currimundi where he worked his way up to Technician, then Workshop Foreman and then Service Advisor.  

In the 90s Tony returned to the Nambour dealership, which was now called David Vodic Toyota, as a Diagnostic Technician and Workshop Foreman. The business struggled to thrive through the 1990s and was rescued, in 2002, by Brett and Caroline Mills, who purchased the "busted and broken" dealership, and transformed it into the progressive, innovative business it is today.

THE 2000s

In the early 2000s, Tony's loyalty and commitment to Brett and Caroline were incremental to the change in culture and success of the business. In fact, a core group of staff, who helped the Mills' turn around the 'busted' business, are still Ken Mills Toyota People today. Tony, along with our ultra popular and fabulous Service Advisor Collette and technician Shane still work for Ken Mills Toyota.

Over the years Tony has undertaken many roles within the Toyota world: Workshop Controller, Service Advisor, Assistant Service Manager and finally Service Manager. The knowledge, skills and experience Tony acquired during all of his roles at Toyota are some of the many reasons that he such a valuable member of the Ken Mills Toyota family, not to mention a popular and successful Service Manager. 

Tony's product knowledge is vast, gained over 40 years. He has a real love of the Toyota product, and a true understanding of the importance of all the different roles within the service department. He understands that everyone needs to work together, and respect each other, in order to look after the needs of our guests. Tony not only has expertise, but it's his know how, and experience that allows him to nurture, train and support his team every day. 

WHY HAS TONY STAYED WITH THE KEN MILLS TOYOTA FAMILY?

Tony says, "Brett is family orientated, which matters to me. He runs a happy workplace, and you feel like you become a part of the family. You can get a start with Brett. I believe my work isn't just a job, I come to work because it's a good fit for me, I'm part of a team, part of the family." When asked about what he's looking forward to, Tony says, "celebrating Millsy's 20 year anniversary at the end of the year!"

ABOUT TONY

• Tony has a very strong bond with his son Callum, who is in the Defense Force 
• Tony has lived on the Sunshine Coast since 1982
• He is originally from inland Gayndah, the citrus / orange capital of Australia
• Tony loves fishing. His favourite, reef fishing at Tully, Cairns 
• Tony's favourite food - roast pork and crackling dinner
• Fav drink - Bourbon and Coke Zero
• He lives in the Landsborough Hinterland
• He met his partner Monique at a 5oth birthday party

QUOTE "You are only as good as the people around you, and my people are good."