The Clarkson Street motor repair business of Modern Motors celebrated 70 years trading in the village and for the Weller Family, this has involved four generations and produced six fully qualified mechanics.

To mark the occasion customers and the community were invited to the business for the 70^th anniversary cake. 

Les Weller, the founder, was a local lad and after his carpentry position at WT Howard in Taree, was lost in The Great Depression, he returned to Nabiac. 

In 1935 he became the owner of the 110v DC electricity supply in the village. 

He was the local electricity authority and remained so until the 240v AC supply was connected in 1952.

Anticipating this and knowing he was soon to be out of a job, Les had purchased the land at 78-80 Clarkson Street and erected a large building in March, 1947. 

Life was not easy what with low grade fuel, a general lack of spares, the reluctance of householders to pay their electricity accounts and - particularly after World War II - services and materials being in in very short supply, it took some time for the mechanical business to hit its stride.

Repairs to, it seems, every type of machinery were carried out in the ensuing years. 

Sawmills and farmers all required something to be done or repaired. 

Upgrades to the Pacific Highway were a regular source of business as was the rutile mining at the aerodrome and while these rolled on so did the employment of other locals in various roles.

Three of Les and Doreen's boys (Bruce, Alistair and Robert - or Yogi as he preferred) completed their mechanical apprenticeships at Modern Motors and Bruce took over the business in 1966.

As if Les and Doreen didn't have enough to do already, in 1957 they began construction of the caravan park on the northern edge of the village. 

As a result, we all moved from the family house across Clarkson Street from the Memorial Park (and from the rear of which the 110v electricity had been generated) to living quarters above the Service Centre.

Both businesses prospered as the highway traffic increased. 

Age however, was beginning to take its toll on Les and Doreen and the caravan park was eventually sold in 1967. 

Recently, approval has been given for this caravan park to be upgraded to a major service centre and this is expected to be completed towards the end of this year.

It has been said, "The more things change - the more they stay the same" and so it is with Modern Motors. 

With a father and son team again pushing Modern Motors forward - Les' grandson David and his son Mitchell now operate the business - there is no reason to think it will not continue to flourish.