A not so concise History of Bill Lilley
Bill was born William George Lilley on 19th.February 1947, the second youngest child of 7 children. His Father was also William George Lilley (a family tradition that he seems to have broken). Bill’s Father was an “A” grade automobile mechanic and finished up working for the Ford Dealer in Canberra & Queanbeyan as the Service Manager for many years.
Bill commenced work at the ripe old age of 19 as a partner with his Father and together they opened and operated a brand new Mobil Service Station in Watson ACT on 14th. February 1966. Bill’s Father was forced to retire due to ill health some time later, but they operated that Service Station for 10 years. During that time Bill qualified as a motor mechanic, as well as gaining first hand business operating experience and people skills.
On 10th.October 1974 Bill sold the Watson Service Centre to a former Mobil Oil Company representative and purchased a much bigger Mobil Service Station the “Mobil Times” in Canberra City.
On 1st.September 1977 Bill commenced trading as “Bill Lilley Chrysler” at the current address in Queanbeyan; this was later changed to “Bill Lilley Mitsubishi” on 1st.January 1980 after the Japanese Company purchased Chrysler’s operation and Dealer network.
Bill was operating the Service Station as well as the Dealership for a 2 year period.
1st.August 1990 Bill Lilley Mitsubishi was awarded Mitsubishi’s “Distinguished Dealer” award, Mitsubishi’s highest award. This was the first such award ever granted in the Canberra/Queanbeyan market even though this Dealership was much smaller than the competition.
1st.August 1991 Bill Lilley Mitsubishi was awarded a second “Distinguished Dealer” award, and maybe should have been awarded a third in 1992.
Bill is a very hands-on operator in the business, personally taking responsibility of the following positions, Dealer Principal, Financial Controller, Accountant (In House) & Sales Management.
Bill has operated the Dealership in its current location from 1977 until current, with some of the milestones being: |
Bill Lilley with his parents.
Bill with his Mum - circa 1950.
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Further Industry Milesstones:
1. Dealer Council
Bill Lilley was elected to the “Mitsubishi National Dealer Council” representing NSW Rural dealers on 1st.January 1991 retiring on 30th.December 1996.
He was re-elected 1st.October 2004 to the same position and still hold that position today.
2. T.D.M
T.D.M is an acronym for “Triple Diamond Marketing” which is a separate Company set up to handle Mitsubishi’s co-operative marketing. Bill Lilley was elected as a window delegate for “Canberra Window” and served that position for some until it was split into 2 separate windows in late 2005.
Bill is currently window delegate for the “Canberra Rural” window.
Bill was elected & served on the “TDM Executive Council” from 2004 until 2007.
3. Community Involvement
Bill believes in having a strong community based involvement and some of the following are some highlights of that philosophy: |
Landmark building pre-renovations
Bill Llley in 2009
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12th.November 1982 – Elected to “Queanbeyan Chamber of Commerce”