A FRAMED photograph of a Ford Laser hangs from the hallway of Neil's Driving School in Swan Hill.
For Neil Mesley and his family, the photograph is a constant reminder of how far the driving school has come, following the establishment of the business in 1996.
At the time, Neil was looking for a way to supplement his income after retiring from the police force.
He purchased a second-hand Ford Laser and from humble beginnings, Neil's Driving School became a reality.
In those days the school was run from Neil's home and was only ever intended to be a part-time gig.
"Four or five lessons a week is what I had in mind," Neil said.
It didn't take long for the word to spread.
"We started to get busy so we employed another driver trainer," Neil said.
It was around this time that Neil started to receive a number of inquiries in relation to learner driving facilities for trucks.
After some careful consideration, a truck was added to their fleet.
"We took up the challenge and away we went," he said.
The road to diversification was a rocky one and within three months of purchasing the truck, things began to go backwards.
Questioning his decision to expand the business, Neil stuck at it following encouragement from his wife Bev.
"She said give it one more month."
Taking this advice onboard, it wasn't long before things began to pick up.
"We went from strength to strength from then on," Neil said.
The fleet continued to expand and the driving school became Vic Roads accredited.
Continually looking for opportunities to expand and diversify the business, Neil took a number of gambles along the way.
He introduced light ridged vehicles, motorcycles and incorporated a bus hire service.
"It was around this time, B-doubles were becoming popular," Neil said.
"I bought one against my wife's wishes."
As the business continued to grow, so too did the complaints from adjoining neighbours.
The business was relocated several times over the years before taking up permanent residency at its new purpose-built building in Jennings Road.
Born and raised in Swan Hill, Neil's career began at a local machinery company in 1969.
When he was laid off, he began looking for a more stable career and decided to join the Victorian police force.
He spent 25 years with the force at various stations throughout the state including Swan Hill, Kerang, St Kilda and the city watch house.
He was working at the city mortuary when the West Coast Bridge went down in 1970.
Looking back, Neil said this was not a highlight of his career and he almost quit the force as a result.
While Neil and his wife Bev, also originally from Swan Hill had no plans to return to the area, they returned in 1992 after Neil's mum became sick.
"Decisions have been made for me to change my course over the years," Neil said.
He continued with the police until 1994 and was officially unemployed for a week before he went to work with Vic Roads.
With all of his positions in the past, Neil had been heavily involved in licence testing so starting up his own driving school following retirement seemed like a natural transition.
"It's been an interesting journey," Neil said.
"Never in my wildest dreams did I expect the business to get to this, although I hoped it would."
His initial investment of $4000 has paid off and in the past 16 years the business has expanded at an extraordinary rate.
Neil attributes much of his success to being able to "meet people's expectations, while making licence testing as stress free as possible."
Hard work has also played its part.
"I found the harder I worked, the luckier I got."
However, working up to 90 hours a week has taken its toll and after recently selling the business, Neil is preparing to once again settle into retirement.
New owners took over the business on February 1 and while Neil is assisting during the changeover period, he is looking forward to "drifting off into the sunset."
While the business has been a family affair, Neil's son Daryl will continue to work with the company while Neil and Bev hope to travel.
Retirement will also enable Neil to spend more time updating his own Dodge/Chrysler collection which he started in the mid 90s.
"I've been collecting since I came back to Swan Hill," Neil said.
His collection includes a 1962 Dodge Phoenix, 1958 Dodge Custom Royal and 1961 R Series Valiant.
"Tinkering around with them takes your mind off everything," he said.
"I find it very relaxing."
As Neil eases into retirement, it will be the end of an era for the Mesley family - only this time around Neil is looking forward to putting his feet up with no plans to supplement his income.
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