Geoffrey ‘Geoff’ Dewey
Inducted into the Shell Rimula Wall of Fame in 2023.
Geoffrey, Geoff, Dewey was born in North Sydney to parents Mary and Alf. When Geoff turned 18, he enlisted in the Australian Air Force and learnt to flying Tiger Moths before going to the UK where he flew Bristol Blenheim Bombers Mark 1&4. Flight-Sergeant Geoff was captured by the Japanese and was incarcerated in Changi, Burma Rail and Kinkaseki Copper Mine as a POW until 1945.
Returning to Australia, Geoff’s ambition was to become a bus company proprietor, but due to his extremely poor physical and mental health, repatriation was going to be a long and major obstacle. His injuries were immense; Weary Dunlop stitched four toes of the left foot after a timber accident on the Burma-Thailand Railway. There were many more illnesses, too many to mention here.
On Geoff’s return his father Alf built a large fishpond with water lilies so Geoff could relax and contemplate his future. After a few years Alf had Geoff join him on cottage building sites painting and decorating which led to a minor NSW State Housing Commission contract.
Geoff purchased three blocks of land in Elliston Street, Chester Hill NSW and built his home on one from recycled Baulkham Hills army hospital material. In 1947 and 1948 new Housing Commission areas were being built, so Geoff applied for an Omnibus Route License No: 73, Chester Hill-Bankstown Via South Granville-Potts Hill. The Route number 73 was Geoff’s flight number on the Bristol Blenheim Bombers that he flew in the war. Route 73 began with 3 vehicles on August 1948 at a depot in Priam St. Chester Hill, NSW. The vehicles being: m/o 847 1934 Maple Leaf Syd Wood Body, m/o 503 1944 KS5 International, m/o 774 1945 Chevrolet Parramatta Bus Co. Body.
In 1946 Geoff married Irene Mavis Ohma at Lidcombe. Later Geoff employed his two sons, Rodney as Office/Operation Manager and Warren as Workshop/Fleet Manager. Route 84 Guildford was acquired from RE Pattison in July 1972 with 3 vehicles. All Austins. m/o 4331, m/o 5381 & m/o 4863. After the relocation of Route 73 to the new depot in 1969 and the acquisition of Route 84, the fleet amplified to 31 vehicles.
The Dewey’s became highly involved in domestic and international coach travel. Acquiring 5 new fully equipped Denning Coaches, 4 used coaches, 2 new Midi Coaches and a new 4X4 RFW Austral ASV. The RFW chassis was engineered and built by Robert Frederick (Bob) Whitehead who was a mechanic-driver in 1951 for Geoff Dewey.
In July 1984 Chester’s purchased 8 coaches from Foley’s Scenic Tours to enhance their Restricted tourist coach fleet.
During Geoff’s business life he enjoyed community service volunteering, giving time to the Ex-Prisoners of War Association (also as a panel member), Chester Hill Progress Association, Rotary International and various others.
Geoff supported the NSW Bus and Coach Association of which he was a life member and served as president for 8 years. Geoff was a member of other transport associations and participated on government boards including enquiries to improve the industry.
The end of an era occurred in 1986 when after 40 years of sweat, tears and good times the Dewey Family decided to sell the company. The Route Services, 73, 84 and Chesters half Licence of Route320 were factored to adjoining Omnibus Proprietors. Geoff Dewey continued with his community service volunteering until 1999 when he and Mavis moved to their holiday house at Burrill Lake NSW. Geoff passed away in 2014.
