14 OB I TUARY KEVIN BOOTH OAM, one of the best known and most respected motor car dealers and community leader on the Central Coast passed away on 26th July 2023. Mr Booth, was Managing Director of the Booth Motor Group which he took control of following the retirement of his mother and father Evelyn and Fred Booth who founded the business, EV & F Booth, in September in 1939 just as World War 11 started. He attended Gosford Public and then Gosford High Schools. On leaving school he joined the family’s motor workshop business although during his school years he helped run the business serving petrol and assisting in the workshop. Following the War the business expanded into new and used car sales having obtained the UK Rootes Group dealership selling the Hillman, Humber and Sunbeam brands. In 1957 Mr Booth married Nancye following a romance that began with their love of music, a marriage that would last a lifetime. They would be instrumental in forming the Gosford Music Society. In 1964 Chrysler took over Rootes Group and Booths began selling a new brand of motor vehicles. Subsequently, as the motor car industry in Australia went through aa substantial change, Mitsubishi would take over Chrysler and Booths’ would buy the Central Coast Hyundai franchise and then the Wyong Mitsubishi dealership. In recent years they would acquire the Gosford Ford dealership Booths Motor Group had become one of the most successful motor car dealerships on the Central Coast and during this time Kevin’s children, David, Col and Sandie would join the business and eventually take the reigns ensuring that Booths would continue as a family business. However, there was always one constant. Until Covid hit in 1980, Kevin was always at the dealership first thing every morning welcoming customers and attending to their needs before spending the rest of the day in his office. Service was paramount at Booths and he set the example. Meanwhile Kevin and Nancye Booth were the backbone of the Gosford Musical Society which endures to this day. As well, Kevin was committed to his church and to Gosford Rotary. He was appointed to the Gosford Anglican church Parish Council when he was 21 years of age and continued until he was in his 80’s. During these years he attended almost every Anglican Synod making decisions for the local Diocese. He is a Past President of the Rotary Club of Gosford and Paul Harris Fellow recipient for services to Rotary and the community. In 1989 he was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for services to the Central Coast community and the Gosford Musical Society. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Laycock Street Theatre. He was a Trustee of the Alfred and Ella Chapman Trust, established over sixty years ago to fund a number of Gosford organisations including the Gosford Anglican Church for some fifty years. During this time he oversaw the Trust’s investments that now total over $40 million and distributes over a million dollars each to charities and schools around the Central Coast. He is survived by his wife Nancey, two sons, David and Col and daughter Sandie and his grandchildren. Australian owned and operated local designer of premium Personal Protective Equipment, Industree Group has partnered with #MoveAgainstCancer 2023, the largest step challenge on the Central Coast raising much needed funds and awareness for the Cancer Council. Led by emergency doctor and passionate physical activity advocate, Dr Ash Bowden aka Doctor Do More, #MoveAgainstCancer 2023 aims to raise funds, promote awareness, and drive sustainable practices to support those battling cancer. In 2022, an average of 440 Australians were diagnosed with cancer each day. Doctor Do More with the support of Industree Group, aims to tackle this statistic one step at a time by calling on all Australians to join his annual step challenge. Running successfully now for a number of years, #MoveAgainstCancer encourVale Kevin Booth OAM 1930 - 2023 ages participants to join up in teams and track their steps throughout September. Improving our step count not only benefits our physical and mental health, but exercise is shown to lower a person’s risk of cancer. “Moving more has unbelievable benefits on your health – reduced risk of cancers, reduced risk of cardiorespiratory disease, improved cognition and more importantly, it has a huge impact on our mental health, something we all need right now” says Bowden. The challenge starts on September 1st and will run to September 30th. Registration is $10. Register and learn more about the challenge. do-more.live/moveagainstcancer2023/ Your steps can help us move against cancer! Industree Group major partner of #MoveAgainstCancer 2023 Lisa Haynes, Industree Group Marketing Manager, Dr Ash Bowden aka Doctor Do More - Emergency doctor, Steve Sammut – Industree Group Sales Director CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW SEPTEMBER 2023
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