Wollongong Patrol clocks 30 years

Wollongong NRMA Patrol Glenn Stocker is celebrating 30 years of service on the road helping NRMA Members.

A mechanic from the age of 15, Glenn joined the NRMA in 1999 after running workshops throughout the UK for five years.

As one of a cohort of 500 new patrols to start that year, Glenn was quick to learn every back street of Sydney's Eastern Suburbs from Randwick and Coogee to Kings Cross and into the city.

Working in a relatively high density area, Glenn was no stranger to fishing keys out of lift shafts, and restarting vehicles full of glamourous party goers heading to Kings Cross nightclubs.

Following his heart, Glenn moved to Wollongong so that his wife could commence her medical training at Wollongong Hospital.

"When I moved down here I really noticed a lot more of a laidback attitude," Glenn said of the mentality of the Illawarra people.

"In Sydney, people would be looking at their watches hoping you'd hurry up. When I moved down here, the first thing they’d ask was if you wanted a coffee or a tea."

A typical day for Glenn involves helping people who have had mechanical problems on the freeway, as well as helping a lot of the local retired population who may not drive their cars as often as they once did.

Fascinated by the future of electric vehicles, Glenn said that while most problems with vehicles in 2019 are electrically related, there are still a lot of engineering challenges to keep him busy.

The 57 year old father of two has looked back at his 30 year career with the NRMA with great pride and said he was looking forward to many more years on the road.

"I love the feeling of being part of something that people really admire, we are one of the few organisations that is still held in very high regard within the community," Glenn said.

"We are considered by the public to be completely unbiased and I think that's a very powerful attribute. Where else do you get paid to pay the hero and then drive off into the sunset! People are so grateful, I've been blessed."

NRMA's Executive General Manager Motoring, Nell Payne, said Glenn's gentlemanly manner made him a favourite among local Members with countless commendations over his 30 year career.

"Glenn is always there to offer assistance or advice to Members and to fellow colleagues whether he is on or off shift, and is an incredibly highly respected member of the NRMA family," Ms Payne said.

"We are so proud to have patrols like Glenn helping to keep our more than 2.6 million Members moving every day."

Contact: Rebecca Page 0439 130 400