2024 has been an exciting year for Purtill Group, proudly celebrating 50 years of fuel service and distribution in Northern Victoria and Southern NSW.
In January 1974, company founder Keith Purtill, took over the local Caltex (now Ampol) distributorship, a partnership the family business has upheld ever since.
Over their 50 year fuel journey, Purtill Group has been involved in many industry firsts and initiatives, continually working on ways to be more efficient and effective in the transportation and delivery of fuel products to their customers.
Advances in technology, safety equipment and haulage capacity have been astounding.
In their first year of operation, fuel was carted in an S-Model Bedford with 4x 440 gallon (2000L) bulk delivery tanks, across a distribution radius of 60km.
Today, A-double tankers with a capacity of 86,000L are utilised and cover a radius of 400km.
The larger capacity means fewer trips and less time on the road for drivers.
While celebrating this milestone, Purtill Group have been recognised in two prestigious award categories.
Purtill Group managing director Neville Purtill was presented with a Primary Employer Recognition Award by Fire + Rescue NSW Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell, as part of its St Florian’s Day ceremony at City of Sydney Fire Station.
This acknowledges businesses who support on-call firefighters in protecting their local communities.
Employers provide flexibility to enable on-call firefighters to respond to a variety of jobs, such as incidents and strike teams.
The second award recognition for Purtill Group was during the Australian Fuel and Convenience Awards, being awarded the Marg Taylor Community Spirit Award.
This award is designed to recognise those businesses which have quietly gone that ‘extra yard’ in supporting the communities in which they operate.
These businesses typically don’t make a fuss about what they do, but they work to support community organisations, sporting clubs and charitable works within their communities.
They are often the businesses that stand up when their communities are in the greatest need.
“On behalf of my family and staff, I would like to extend our deepest appreciation and gratitude to our customers and community, for their ongoing support and endorsement throughout our 50 years in the fuel industry,” Purtill Group managing director Neville Purtill said.
“We look forward to continuing fuelling rural Australia for many more years.”
To finish off 2024, and the 50th anniversary festivities, Purtill Group will be celebrating with their staff and families tomorrow night.
The celebrations will include a fireworks display, and the community is invited to view this display.
Fireworks will be ignited from the Deniliquin Golf Course at 9pm.
Community members can watch from Memorial Park, with the best vantage point from the large oval and Rovers Football Netball Club.
Please ensure your pets are safe and secure during this time.