RAFFY SGROI, CEO of Car Mechanical Services in Fisher, was named Trade Services Champion at the Australian Women’s Small Business Champion Awards. She’s finding it a little surreal.

 RAFFY Sgroi, CEO of Car Mechanical Services, was named Trade Services Champion at the Australian Women’s Small Business Champion Awards. She’s finding it a little surreal.

“It was not expected at all, I was up against so many incredible women,” she says.

“But it’s nice to know my efforts through work are reflecting well on what I want to achieve.”

The Australian Women’s Small Business Champion Awards support and recognise small businesses owned by women across Australia. The awards seek to recognise the hard work that women business owners contribute to the local community in generating employment as well as their commitment to the Australian economy.

Car Mechanical Services was established 15 years ago in Fisher, but Raffy’s husband Charlie has been working in the industry for more than 42 years.

“We started Car Mechanical Services for ourselves, to give us a bit more control and freedom,” says Raffy.

“Our goal was to create a more inclusive and diverse workplace.

“I’ve had to push through challenges to set an example, and this award shows I’ve done it, and we are doing the right thing.

“What has been the most encouraging for me, in my success, is knowing that Charlie has given me his trust and support.”

She says Charlie has always been passionate about working on cars, and he’s really good at what he does.

“Charlie has worked in mechanics for more than 42 years, with three or four years’ experience beforehand in helping his dad repair their tractor, and that is where his passion began,” she says.

“Charlie has trusted all my new ideas, and without his knowledge and guidance behind me I wouldn’t be where I am today, and Car Mechanical Services wouldn’t have the praise and reputation it currently holds.

“I am proud of Car Mechanical Services, proud of Charlie and proud of myself, for putting all this work into actioning change within the industry.”

Raffy says now they have a few young girls doing work experience with them.

“They are very driven girls, and have only been further motivated by seeing me in the workshop every day,” she says.

“Mechanics has often previously been known as a male-dominated industry, but I’m here showing that women deserve a fair go.

“Especially with all the work health and safety rules now, women can lift or do anything men can.”

Next on her list of goals for the company, while continuing the path she’s begun, Raffy says she’s hoping to grow their work-experience opportunities to people who are neurodiverse.

“It’s part of growing our inclusive workplace,” she says.

“There is always someone telling you that you’re not capable of doing a job, trying to bring you down, but you just need to give it a go.

“If it turns out that you don’t like it, or you’re not good at it, that’s okay, at least you tried and you made the decision for yourself rather than listening to other people, because you might just surprise yourself.”

Raffy says she is also passionate about making improvements for sustainability, and she is doing just that through Car Mechanical Services.

“The world is obviously moving towards electric vehicles pretty quickly, and we want to set a benchmark for the automotive industry,” she says.

“We have invested in electric vehicle repairs and servicing, and we have significantly reduced our single-use plastic consumption.”

Instead of the five-litre plastic tub generally used for engine oil, Raffy has introduced Car Mechanical Services to bulk buying their engine oil.

“Doing this has saved probably 70,000 bottles from landfill,” she says.

“We are going to implement anything possible to improve the sustainability of our business.

“I’m passionate about it because I know we can do so much more than just catering to electric vehicles to make a difference, and I think it’s our responsibility, for each and every one of us, to do our bit for the planet.

“If you tell someone to think of a car workshop, they will think black and dirty. I want to see, and I want other people to see more green, and even more pink would be welcome.”

Car Mechanical Services, call 6162 4111 or visit carmechanicalservices.com.au