A piece of HVIA (CVIAQ) history has been lost with the peaceful passing of founding member and former CVIAQ President, Mr Des Mitchell, on the 1st February 2019 aged 83 years.
Des Mitchell worked for the Brown and Hurley Group from 1964 to 1989 where he became Dealer Principal of the Brisbane branch.
Mr Mitchell was a leading player in establishing the Commercial Vehicle Industry Association of Queensland in 1970, becoming an active committee member during the seventies before being elected President of the Association in 1979.
Mr Mitchell was also part of the group of industry identities responsible for the development and subsequent organisation of the inaugural 1968 Queensland Truck Show held in the yards of Haulmark Trailers. His commitment to the industry provided the foundation for the future success of the Show taking it from strength to strength throughout the 1970’s.
In 2008, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Brisbane Truck Show, CVIAQ bestowed upon Mr Mitchell and the other members of the original show organising committee, the Association’s Industry Recognition Award in acknowledgement to the group’s contribution to the development of the show.
Family, friends and former colleagues are invited to attend a celebration of Des’ life, at Mt Thompson Crematorium, East Chapel, 329 Nursery Road, Holland Park, on Thursday 7th February, at 10:30am.
In lieu of flowers, donations made to Parkinson’s Foundation are appreciated.
I have been saddened to learn of Des’s passing. I have only learned about it as I have worked and resided in Melbourne for the past 34 years. had a very close working relationship with Des in my capacity as Esanda Manager at Brisbane Mafkets and he introduced a lot of clients to me when he was Manager of Brown & Hurley Brisbane. We had many pleasant social times together at the Brisbane Markets Club and would often end up having a drink to celebrate the successful conclusion of a deal. He was a generous man, very loyal to his employers Jack Hurley and Alan Brown who were nature’s gentlemen. Vale Des, and may your soul rest in peace.