When milestones roll around you tend to do something special to commemorate the occasion. A gift to Conroy Removals in celebration of its 50th certainly was testament to that.

The genesis of Conroy Removals as we see it today dates back to 1972 when 21-year-old David Conroy was looking for an opportunity to make his own way in the transport industry. David approached a Napier-based furniture removal contractor, Bill Griffin. With a little negotiation and some financial support from his mother, David purchased Bill’s business complete with one petrol- powered D-series Ford. Some 18 months later, a second truck, a TK Bedford, was purchased from Ivan Palleson. At this time, David’s brother Gary joined the business as a partner and grabbed the keys to the TK.

These early days for the business had the brothers navigating countrywide, moving families and businesses while Mum was back at home base, answering the phone and looking after the admin.

Fifty years on, Conroy Removals employs nearly 350 team members across 12 branches throughout New Zealand and Australia. It is a true business success story that has been built on strong family values by both David and Gary. The industry honoured David last year with his induction into the Hall of Fame.

One of those team members is our friend Doug Elliott. Some readers will remember Doug from the story we featured in the February 2022 issue of New Zealand Trucking magazine, Plastic Fantastic. In that story, we detailed the Alf Walling Mack replicas that Doug built. We are in for a treat again this month, as we look at three of Doug’s latest builds.

Doug has been with Conroys for the best part of 34 years, and has loved every minute of it. “They are an awesome company to work for. You definitely feel that you are a part of the family and not just a cog in the gearbox,” he says.

So, for Doug, when the 50th celebrations were mooted, there was only one thing for it – head to the workshop and replicate some of those great Conroy memories as a lasting gift to the family.