Four generations of O’Sullivan celebrated 90 years of their family business O’Sullivans Garage

For 90 years O’Sullivan’s Garage has been run by generations of O’Sullivan men as it has been passed down from father, to son, to grandson.

Old Phil, wife Joan and Young Phil cut the cake to celebrate O'Sullivan's Garage that has been at 198 Denison Street, Bondi and run by the same family for 90 years. Picture: Daniel Aarons

THERE are few family businesses that survive for 50 years, let alone 90.

But O’Sullivan’s Garage has been passed down from father to son to grandson, surviving the Great Depression and World War II to become a Bondi institution.

In 1926 Hughie O’Sullivan first opened the doors of O’Sullivan’s Garage and Service Station on Denison St in what was then known as Waverley.

O'Sullivan's Garage in the early 1930s. Picture: supplied

Hughie’s son Phil, now 93, was just a small boy when the workshop opened, but virtually immediately he started spending time learning the mechanics trade.

“I grew up in the business,” he said.

“I went to Waverley College and left in intermediate and came here officially when I was 15.”

A framed letter in the O’Sullivan’s Garage office marks when Phil officially applied for his job in 1935 and, apart from a stint with the army during the war, he hasn’t worked anywhere else in 80 years.

Even then, Phil would do 12-hour shifts at the garage working on engine parts for the Spitfire planes in England before doing his part for the war effort on the home front of an evening.

Phil was involved in repairing the Queen Mary, which was in Sydney Harbour to pick up 5000 troops, within 24 hours after she had trouble with a mine field on the trip over from England.

“There were Japanese submarines around and spies who would have told them the Queen Mary was there — it was exciting,” he said.

O'Sullivan's Garage in the 1950s. Picture: supplied

Phil’s son Chris followed the family tradition of growing up in the garage, but ultimately chose a different career with Telstra.

But Chris’s son, affectionately called Young Phil, became his grandfather’s protégé.

In its 90 years, the garage took on 22 apprentices, the last of which was Young Phil, who Old Phil said took over the reins officially about 10 years ago.

“It’d be good to reach the 100 years,” Young Phil said.

“Ten or 20 years ago you’d say ‘no worries’, but it’s a who knows with the leaps in technology, especially with cars. It’s quite amazing really.”

On the weekend, the garage and four generations of O’Sullivans celebrated 90 years of the family business with former apprentices and high-profile guests, including Waverley Mayor Sally Betts and Coogee state MP Bruce Notley-Smith.

Looking back, Old Phil said the success of the family business had largely come down to having great staff who made a personal connection with their customers.

“We have been very fortunate over the many decades, to have both apprentices and staff that have fulfilled this role admirably,” he said.

“None better than those currently operating the business, manager, Phillip O’Sullivan, mechanic, Ed Degenhardt, office secretary, Margaret O’Shea, auto electrician, Tom Serratore and office assistant/maintenance, Chris O’Sullivan.”