Sitting in the small staff room at the back of their 1000 square metre Autobarn store, Max and Valerie — now both in their 70s — speak with deep affection about their time in business.
Often their memories bring slight tears to their eyes. Beside them sits their son, Jamie, who has also been part of the journey.
Max and Valerie, together with Jamie, purchased Autobarn Bairnsdale in 2001.
For 14 years they operated from the original site next door before moving into their current premises in 2015 — with the help of local car clubs who rallied around to assist with the big move.
Over the next quarter of a century, Autobarn became more than just an automotive retailer.
It grew into a hub of community connection, proudly supporting countless local events including the Bairnsdale Street Parade, Christmas Parade, boat races, speedway meets, burnout competitions, and the Bairnsdale Classic Car Club.
Max even built Kenny Koala’s ute and, year after year, donned the red suit as Bairnsdale’s Santa, listening to generations of children share their Christmas wishes.
This year marks the business’s 25th anniversary — and its final chapter.
The last day of trading will be 24 October 2025.
“It was time to draw a line in the sand,” the family explained.
Over the years they have weathered floods, drought, bushfires, and even the COVID pandemic, managing to keep their doors open and their service strong.
Unlike many “serve yourself” chains, Autobarn Bairnsdale built its reputation on customer service.
If a product wasn’t in stock, the team would track it down or even send customers to another local business rather than see them go without. “It’s always been about looking after people,” Valerie said.
Both she and Max expressed their heartfelt gratitude to their dedicated staff, admitting they feel a sense of guilt in closing because of how much they value their team.
Jamie, who completed his apprenticeship with Max in the early 1990s, rejoined the business in 2024 after a career as a mechanical engineer, bringing the family story full circle.
For Max, cars and mechanics have always been a way of life.
He rebuilt his first vehicle in 1969 — a one-of-a-kind Vanguard Roadster pieced together from 27 different cars.
He has since built an impressive collection of hot rods and unique vehicles.
His career has been just as remarkable: from milking cows on the family dairy farm in Clifton Creek, to retraining in welding at night school after leaving school at 14, to achieving the top award in Victoria from the Welding Technology Institute of Australia.
He also gained Senior Motor Mechanic certification through the VACC — a moment he recalls with pride, as the organisation had once told him “a farmer can’t become a mechanic.”
Max’s skills and work ethic left a lasting mark on East Gippsland. He built the Bairnsdale Sale Yards with its 1400 gates, constructed steel skate parks in Cann River and Bruthen, maintained the Raymond Island Ferry, and taught welding to more than 1200 students over 22 years.
Alongside this, he was always on hand in the store to offer advice, even if people weren’t buying anything.
Meanwhile, Valerie has been equally active in the community.
She is currently president of the Bairnsdale Classic Car Club, while Max serves as president of the Country Music Club, which the pair also helped establish.
Together they have been heavily involved in events such as the annual Australia Day Breakfast with the car club for the past five years.
After more than two decades of running Autobarn, Val and Max, who married in 1972, are looking forward to retirement.
They plan to spend more time travelling, enjoying their garden and veggie patch, and perhaps finally taking a step back from the busy pace of life they’ve embraced for so long.
As Autobarn Bairnsdale prepares to close its doors, one thing is clear: the Curtis family’s contribution to the region — through their business, community spirit, and tireless dedication — will leave a lasting legacy.
