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Getting back to basics with Bec...

Australian Trades Small Business Champion Award for Automotive Mechanical Repairs 2024 has been awarded to Berry Springs Mechanical

Huge congratulations to Beckie Kernich and the Berry Springs Mechanical team for winning the Australian Small Business Trade Champion Awards...

This is an incredible achievement for Beckie and the team

The Berry Springs workshop was started 30 years ago by Doug Barden at Bardens Lakes until Tony Saliba took over the reins, becoming a Repco Authorised Service Centre and adding a new shed on higher ground to solve the issue of water surrounding the old shed at times. Then a little over ten years ago Beckie Kernich acquired the business and that's when the magic really started to happen.

Calm and unassuming, Beckie epitomises the laid back, straight from the shoulder Territorian as she navigates the challenges and crises that come with running a successful car service workshop. Beckie began her work with engines as a motorbike mechanic in her teens before pursuing other avenues. They say that life begins at forty though and Beckie took this to heart.

As a single mum who found herself in a poor financial position, Beckie took stock of her life and decided to head back towards her first love - mechanical repairs. The opportunity to take over the Berry Springs workshop came up and Beckie jumped at the chance to improve her lot by taking over the business as both the boss and the then resident apprentice, building it into what it is today, a well respected car service workshop with a reputation for getting the job done.

Beckie says she gets the occasional odd reaction at the senior mechanic of the workshop or Roadside Assist operator being a woman but those that know her well also know that her calm, no nonsense attitude to problem solving will no doubt win them over in short order. Needless to say the female customers of Berry Springs Mechanical often feel more comfortable dealing with a woman to woman relationship when it comes to car service.

But Beckie's story doesn't end there. As a workshop owner Beckie cares deeply about others, especially the battler out there dealing with situations similar to her own or worse. Not only does Beckie look out for the wellbeing of team at Berry Springs Mechanical and ensure her customers vehicles are safe and efficient to drive, Beckie also extends that care to the community in general, sharing her skills and knowledge to help others in their struggles.

For example, Beckie has been an incredible supporter of No One Left Behind since it's inception. No One Left Behind is a series of events and community workshops that brings people together to share challenges faced and offer support, connection and solutions at a grass roots level. Founded by another "Bec", the great female role model and 2022 NT Local Hero Australian of the Year Bec Forrest. No One Left Behind has grown until these initiatives have branched out across the country and champions men’s, women’s, LGBTQI, youth and disability rights.

About "Bec's Basics"

Beckie began her support of No One Left Behind by offering a Tyre Changing and Basic Mechanical Workshop at the inaugural No Woman Left Behind Conference. This has since blossomed into monthly "Bec's Basics" workshops, empowering anyone, particularly women, with essential car care skills. The regular workshops, which Beckie hosts at no charge to the participants leads car owners through such mechanical tasks as how to check your oil levels, check your coolant, check tyre pressures, how to change a tyre and changing wiper blades.

Beckie also shuts down her workshop so her team can attend the International Men's Day Forum, recognising the importance of men connecting and having conversations around mental health and other crucial issues.

Keep an eye out for our events where you can attend the Berry Springs Mechanical workshop for one of Bec’s free classes, a place for young and old to learn basic mechanical car skills...

The team at Berry Springs Mechanical provide a range of car service and repair tasks to all manner of vehicles, ranging from vehicles of 1940 and 1950 vintage through to the many 4WD's that tend to be found in the NT and right up to the modern vehicles of today. While tyre issues and overheating vehicles make up a good portion of the issues Berry Springs Mechanical deal with, the team regularly face the full gamut of car repair and service tasks that can confront a busy modern workshop.

When it comes down to how Beckie runs the business, in a recent ABC interview she quipped "Everything comes down to customer service at the end of the day and trying to make all our customers happy. Obviously that comes with some blood, sweat and tears. There's a lot of that goes into certain cars, just giving good customer service, you know, helping people out when they're stuck and obviously need maintenance and repairs, but we get a lot of people just drop in for emergency repairs and we just do our best to accommodate everyone".

Running a business can be difficult at times so it is really great to see a successful business owner selflessly putting back into the community on a regular basis...

So well done Beckie. It's great to see the past 10+ years of your dedication and determination you have put into building your business and supporting the local community has not gone unnoticed.

Come on down to Berry Springs Mechanical's next "Bec's Basics" workshops and learn some basic car skills with Bec. No cost. No booking required. Just bring yourself and a water bottle. We are now running a small poll to find out what time suits everyone best.

Congrats again to Beckie and the entire Berry Springs Mechanical team

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