CECCHIN MOTORS FOUNDED BY MATTEO CECCHIN 1940’S-1960’S AYR

The Cecchin Motors story is by Mattero’s son, Vic who now lives at Phagan’s Bay New South Wales.
Cecchin Motors all began in the late 1920’s when Matteo Cecchin, along with his mates- George Populin, Antonio (Tony) Lando, and the father of  Willie Dal Santo came to Ayr from the village of  Porcia near the city of Pordenone in the region of Friuli-Venezia Italy to cut sugar-cane. In the off season (slack season)  from cutting sugar-cane, Matteo used to journey to Port Kembla, New South Wales where he continued with mechanical skills he had learnt in Italy.

Matteo Cecchin married Baviara in 1939 and lived at 19 Parker Street Ayr. The house today is number 27 Parker Street. Cecchin Motors made its humble beginnings in the tin shed in our backyard at the end of the driveway. Electra, my sister was born in 1940 and I was born in 1945. Throughout the war Dad serviced government vehicles such as council, police, and the ambulance. By 1953 Matteo’s business was expanding and he moved Cecchin Motors to the corner of Young and Wickham Streets. The building was built by George Populin, Dad’s mate. (today Burdekin Hire Service.)

As Dad’s main source of income was from cane farmer’s he acquired the agency of Case Tractors and the Peugeot motor car.  He also had the Mercedes Benz Agency and sold the first Mercedes in North Queensland to  Ray Northwood.  Ray Northwood had a service station opposite the old Ayr Baths in Queens Street.

In those days European cars were not in favour so Dad dropped the Peugeot Agency and took on the Standard Motor Company which included Van Gard, Triumph, sports cars and motor bikes and the standard 10 mini sedan. More importantly with that agency came the Ferguson Tractor which was extremely popular  in the tobacco industry with expanding throughout the upper Burdekin areas of Clare, Millaroo and Dalbeg. When that industry finished so did the popularity of Ferguson tractors. He then took on the Chrysler Motor agency which included Dodge, Plymouth, Desoto and eventually Valiant Motor Cars. To replace the Ferguson Tractor, Dad took on the Fiat  David Brown Tractor Agencies.

By the late 50’s Willie Dal Santo’s bought a half share of Cecchin Motors for his  son Willie who had served his apprenticeship at Cecchin Motors. Other staff were Jack McCarthy, Matt Cecchin, Peter Bengoa, Bill Smith Colin Peterson, and Graham Anderson.

In 1958 my sister married and moved to Sydney. Dad sold his half of the business to Willie Dal Santo.  Our family moved to Sydney by 1960.  Cecchin Motors became Dal Santo Motors.

Vic’s son, Mathew was football Rep a few years ago in the area. We are looking for a home for  a three piece  English China Tea Set with the Ayr Post Office building on the cups and sauces and  egg cups and Burdekin Shire Chambers on the plate and little dish.

Evidently  Matteo bought this China tea set sometime in the 1950’s to give to his brother’s family who consisted of three in the family. No one knows if it was for a specific occasion  in the Burdekin that this English tea set was issued. Other people have seen a plate or part there of a tea set and could be purchased through a newsagency here as a souvenir. HRH Queen Elizabeth11 along with the Duke of Edinburgh  did a visit to Australia in 1954 after her coronation and in 1956 Australia held the Olympic Games in Melbourne in 1956. The Set has never been used and Vic and the family would like it to displayed in the Burdekin. It was sent to his good friend Pat Lawson (nee Clark) who was his neighbour whilst the Cecchin’s lived in Ayr.

Contributed with thanks to Glenis Cislowski.

Cecchin Motors Stand at Ayr Show
Cecchin Motors Stand at Ayr Show
Jack McCarthy, Willie Dal Santo, Matt Cecchin, Peter Bengoa, Bill Smith, Colin Peterson about 1955
Matt Cecchin and Willie Dal Santo

‍