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MAY 26, 2023
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cairnslocalnews.com.au
COV E R I N G M O S S M A N TO T H E C A S S OWA RY COAS T
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Irelands sell out
Family raises $50,000 End of era for historic 100-year-old family car and truck dealership l BUNGALOW | Nick Dalton THE longest continuouslyowned business in Cairns – motor dealership FR Ireland Pty Ltd – has been bought by industry giant Eagers Automotive. The multimillion-dollar deal is settled on May 31, just four days before the Irelands celebrate 100 years in business. The Ireland family name will be retained. Being sold is the freehold 3ha property and business at 225 Mulgrave Rd. The company holds Mitsubishi, GMSV, Jeep, RAM truck and Isuzu truck franchises as well as used cars and workshops. Joint managing director Richard Ireland said all 91 staff would be retained as would be the management team, led by new dealer-principal Jon Maurice. He said it was a bittersweet moment for he and brother David, but the timing was right. Mr Ireland said there were no family members – his four children or David’s two – who wanted to take over the task of running the fourth-generation business. “There are no family members in the business. They have their own careers, are happy in their own careers,” he said. “They have seen how hard we’ve worked when they were
Dad Ash Bavister with his baby son Myles.
l CAIRNS | Nick Dalton
Richard and David Ireland in their Mitsubishi/GMSV showroom which they are selling as part of the entire business to Eagers Automotive. Picture: Nick Dalton
growing up and they were not needing to repeat that. Running a business today is hard.” In a statement Eagers said: “We are pleased to announce the acquisition of Ireland’s of Cairns, a long established and
iconic multi brand dealership group based in Cairns, Queensland, including Mitsubishi, Isuzu Truck, RAM and Jeep franchises. “The acquisition will include approximately 24,000sqm of property centrally
located in the Cairns retailing precinct, with settlement expected on May 31, 2023,” it said. “The addition of this business and property will further expand our footprint and complement existing operations in
North Queensland, while also providing a beachhead to grow with partners such as BYD (Chinese electric brand) and consider our EasyAuto123 rollout plans.” MORE ON PAGE 4
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CAIRNS parents Alex and Ash Bavister have raised $50,000 for Ronald McDonald House Townsville in memory of their baby Myles. Tragically, they had to say goodbye to their baby boy Myles on Wednesday, October 16 in 2019. On Wednesday, this week (May 24) Myles would have celebrated his fourth birthday. When Myles was just four and a half months he became seriously ill and the Bavisters stayed at Ronald McDonald House Townsville. “As a parent of a very sick child, you would sleep in the hospital room if you had to. But instead, I was greeted with a modern, fresh clean room with everything you could need,” Mrs Bavister said. CONTINUED ON PAGE 3