More Than a Dealership: Graham Betts Motors and the Armidale Community For Graham Betts Motors, being a local business has always meant more than selling and servicing vehicles. It means employing local people, training the next generation, supporting community organisations, backing local sport and being there when people across Armidale and the New England region need help. That philosophy is simple: People are our business. A Long History in the Armidale Automotive Industry The story behind Graham Betts Motors stretches back decades. Graham Betts began his career in the automotive industry in 1978, later becoming General Manager of New State Motors in Armidale in 1996. In 2001, Graham Betts and Bob Todd purchased New State Motors, continuing an automotive business with roots in Armidale dating back to 1958. Graham purchased Bob Todd's share in 2007 and became the sole owner of the business. Over the years, Graham Betts Motors has continued to grow and diversify while remaining locally owned. Today, the business provides new and used vehicle sales, Mitsubishi vehicles, Can-Am off-road and on-road vehicles, caravans, automotive servicing and repairs, parts and accessories, NSW registration inspections, NRMA Roadservice and towing services. But buildings, vehicles and equipment only tell part of our story. The most important part is our people. Local People Looking After Local People Walk through Graham Betts Motors and you'll find a diverse team of local people working across the dealership. Our experienced automotive technicians and workshop staff maintain and repair vehicles every day. Our sales team helps customers find vehicles suited to everything from family transport to farming, business and fleet requirements. Our parts team helps customers source the right parts and accessories, while our NRMA Roadservice patrol and tow truck team assists motorists when they need help on the road. Behind them are apprentices, trade assistants, administration and dealership staff who help keep the entire operation moving. Together, they're the people behind Graham Betts Motors. We're proud of their experience, their skills and, most importantly, the way they look after our customers. Supporting Armidale and the New England Community We believe that when a community supports a local business, that business should support its community in return. That's why community involvement in Armidale and the New England has been an important part of Graham Betts Motors for many years. We've been proud to support local organisations, charities, sporting clubs and events including the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, Rotary initiatives, charity golf days, local rodeo and campdrafting events, local sporting teams and men's and women's golf. Our relationship with local golf is a great example. Graham Betts Motors has supported Armidale women's golf for more than 24 years, helping generations of local players enjoy the sport, competition and friendships that come with being part of a regional club. From major community organisations to grassroots sporting events, we're proud to play our small part in keeping the New England community strong. Creating Automotive Careers in Armidale Supporting the region also means creating opportunities for people to build careers without necessarily having to leave the New England. Graham Betts Motors employs people across a broad range of automotive and customer service roles and provides opportunities for experienced professionals as well as people beginning their careers. We are always interested in meeting motivated people who may be suited to future roles including: Automotive Technicians Automotive Apprentices Trade Assistants Dealership Assistants Vehicle Sales Consultants Parts Consultants NRMA Roadservice personnel Tow Truck Drivers For a young person considering an automotive apprenticeship in Armidale, the industry can provide a pathway into a highly skilled trade with opportunities to continually develop as vehicle technology changes. Likewise, automotive dealerships need people with skills far beyond mechanics. Sales, customer service, parts, administration, roadside assistance and towing all play important roles. People interested in a career with Graham Betts Motors are welcome to send a résumé to sales@grahambettsmotors.com. Experience That Stays in the New England One of the advantages of dealing with a long-established regional business is having experienced people nearby when you need them. Our team understands the conditions our customers operate in. We work with local families, farmers, tradespeople, businesses, community organisations and fleet operators throughout Armidale, Uralla, Guyra, Walcha, Glen Innes, Inverell and the wider New England region. A vehicle in regional NSW isn't always simply transport. It might be the ute needed to run a farm, the family vehicle travelling hundreds of kilometres each week, a community organisation's transport vehicle or a business vehicle that needs to be back on the road as quickly as possible. Understanding those customers is part of being local. Why Supporting Local Matters Choosing a local business has an impact that reaches beyond the individual transaction. Local businesses create employment. They train apprentices. They purchase from other local businesses. Their employees live and spend money in the community. They sponsor sporting clubs, support charities and contribute to regional events. That's why we're proud to have built Graham Betts Motors in the New England. And after decades in the automotive industry, one thing hasn't changed. Vehicles and technology will continue to evolve. The brands we sell may change. Workshops will become more sophisticated and the way people shop for vehicles will continue to move online. But good business will always come back to people. People who know their trade. People who care about their customers. And people who are proud of the community in which they live and work. That's what we want Graham Betts Motors to represent. Graham Betts Motors Armidale People Are Our Business. Proudly supporting Armidale, the New England community, local employment, local sport and regional organisations for generations.