Page 46 - Australian Paint & Panel March-April 2020

People Matter • Dick Crawford
46
PAINT&PANEL MARCH / APRIL 2020
CUSTOM LEGEND
DICK CRAWFORD'S PASSION FOR THE AUTO BODY REPAIR INDUSTRY HAS TAKEN HIM AROUND THE WORLD, PUT HIS LIFE IN DANGER AND ALLOWED HIM TO WORK WITH THE 'KING OF THE KUSTOMISERS' GEORGE BARRIS. SANDRA ROSSI INTERVIEWS THIS INDUSTRY LEGEND.
ROM MANAGING A REPAIR
F
shop in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea to mod- ifying a Ferrari owned by legendary pop icon and actress, Cher, this is a man that has enjoyed a colourful careeer spanning more than 40 years. And despite turning 70 later this year, Crawford's enthusiasm
hasn't faded.
In fact he is still inspired enough to
share his knowledge teaching apprentic- es at Wollongbar TAFE, near Lismore.
“I enjoy teaching and transferring knowledge, I still remember what it was like when I started,” he says.
It was in the northern New South Wales town of Lismore that Crawford began his working life as a repairer.
Even in his very first year as a techni- cian he won Apprentice of the Year, an award that was sponsored by the Com- bined Insurance Company of America.
“I won a set of panel beating tools which I still have today,” he says.
The tools are in his workshop at home. Of course, Crawford still loves to tinker in his workshop whenever he has some spare time.
“I love this industry because its al- ways changing, there is always some- thing new,” he says.
“Every time a new model car is intro- duced there is more to learn.”