Page 30 - Australasian Paint & Panel magazine July-August 2022

Happy Anniversary
30
PAINT&PANEL JULY / AUGUST 2022
50 YEARS OF WESTSTAR PANEL & PAINT
JOHNNY ‘FIXEM’ KOLICH CAME TO AUSTRALIA FROM CROATIA AT THE AGE OF 15 WITH NOTHING AND BUILT AN AMAZING LEGACY FOR HIS FAMILY.
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panel industry had a mixed reputation. His vision for the business was to stand out for the quality of his work and for his honesty and integrity. And he was com- petitive too – he wanted to be known as the best. The business grew and physi- cally took over the adjacent section of the
founding property at 28 McIntyre Road. He invested in all of the latest repair equipment and proved that being an early adopter can give you an edge in the marketplace. He bought one of the first enamel baking ovens in 1984 – which cost the equivalent of a decent block of land – and he had the latest jig- ging equipment. News of his high stand- ards reached into the offices of Mer- cedes-Benz and they approached him to become an authorised repairer. He was one of the first independent bodyshop
owners in Australia to be appointed. “Back then when Holden was king and probably only the mayor of Sun- shine could afford a Mercedes-Benz it might not have seemed so significant al- though my father was extremely proud
T WASN’T EASY BEING A
European immigrant in Aus- tralia back in the 1960s but may- be that is why so many of them did so very well. Johnny ‘Fixem’ Kolich cer- tainly did. He started Fixem Auto Repairs in 1972 when he was just 25 years old in the Western suburbs of Melbourne, Sun- shine to be exact. Back then it was a highly industrial area and the paint and
of the achievement. Fast forward to to- day and Holden has ceased to exist and there are probably more Mercedes-Benz than Holdens on the road” says son Brad Kolich, now managing director.
John became well loved and respected figure in the Victorian repair community and seeded many long standing relation- ships with organisations such as VACC, Suncorp, IAG (and all the previous incar- nations of their brands) and RACV which have lasted to this day. “He was fearless and young at heart and totally passionate about the business.” says Brad.
He was an industry pioneer for setting an example for being a respectable and respected operator. Current managing director son Brad came into the business when he was 18 and immersed himself in the management of the business, guided by his father.
In 2009 suddenly passed away while helping a customer who had broken