We’re incredibly proud of this book, and we have a feeling it might become a favourite for Penrite fans too.

We love uncovering small, unexpected stories, and with Penrite there was no shortage of those. The Mecoles and Dymond families generously opened up their archives, memories and experiences.

Penrite’s 100-year story naturally falls into two eras: the early years under Les Mecoles, and the decades since the Dymond family took over in 1979.

Along the way, we collected a few of our favourite moments – stories that make us laugh or see things in a new light.

In the early days of Penrite, when times got tight, Les [Mecoles] had a habit of thinking creatively. One of his more proactive approaches involved delivering oil to businesses that hadn’t quite placed an order – yet. He’d time these deliveries near the end of the month, right before invoices were settled. The account staff he’d taken the time to befriend would usually wave them through. It wasn’t

exactly by-the-book, but Les figured he was helping customers stay ahead of their needs.

***

JD [John Dymond] and Margaret’s first home as a married couple was a rented house in Box Hill, or more like a half-house that JD made do in. It didn’t last long – they were evicted three months after Margaret arrived.

‘I forgot to put the handbrake on JD’s MG sports car’, says Margaret. ‘When the owner of the place opened the garage door, the car rolled into him. That was the end of that. They told us to pack our bags.’ 

***

‘Dad [JD] loved historic racing. He’d be down there whenever he could, smiling away, in the pits, talking to everyone who’d listen and some who wouldn’t. So many people would just run to Dad and tell him there was something wrong with their engine and ask for advice. He gave everyone as much time as they needed; he didn’t rush anyone. He was in his element, talking and promoting oils around people who shared his passion.’

Penrite, anniversary celebration book

If you’d like to take a longer, smoother drive through these stories, Still Driven is available via Penrite’s merchandise store:

Store.penriteoil.com.au