Gerry Dilger: '50 years behind the pump’

The Dilger family has had a long association with St Virgil’s – Gerry (SVC 1973-77) and his four brothers, Stephen (SVC 1973-77), Richard (SVC 1976-81), Don (SVC 1980-85) and David (SVC 1985-90) passed through the College as did Gerry’s son, Andrew (SVC 1999-2002).

Gerry’s parents, Rod and Kath, were tremendous supporters of the College as their five boys passed through it, as were Gerry and his wife, Barb, during Andrew’s time.

Gerry’s grandfather and father both operated garages preceding him.  Grandfather Don in Swansea and Queenstown, and Rod in Rosebery.

To quote the Mercury article:

“Our house in Rosebery was only three doors up from the garage so that’s where you’d always find dad and me. Not many blokes have been able to work with their father so I feel very privileged to be able to do that,” Mr Dilger said.

In 1973 Rod moved his family to Hobart and thus began the St Virgil’s connection.  In 1975 he purchased the Caltex garage In Howrah Road on the eastern shore which he worked operated till his retirement in 1989, when Gerry took over.

Drive-way service, a rarity in today’s economy, has always been part of the Dilger brand - customer care is paramount.  

Gerry has always been supportive of local community causes and particularly noteworthy has been his support of Camp Quality where he has prepared to put aside two weeks each year to assist with the running of camps. Camp Quality supports young people facing cancer.  

Rod and Kath are very proud of their boys.  Steve is a teacher at TAFE,  Richard runs a publishing company in London, Don moved out of teaching and became a surveyor – he is senior project manager for a firm in Portsmouth in the UK, and David, a lawyer, is a Director of Edge Legal in Hobart.