Des’s MiniBus

History

Established in 1963.

The Des’s business began in Whyalla in 1963 when Des Brougham bought two (2) 1960 FB Holden vehicles, three (3) brand new 1963 EJ Holden sedans, and using his own White ‘s’ Series valiant started Des’s Cabs. He was quickly joined by his younger brother Trevor and a successful business partnership was forged.

The fleet quickly grew to 30 taxis and in 1967 Des’s Cabs became the sole taxi company following the closure of McFarlane’s Blue Whyalla Taxis and Don Carr’s White Spencer Gulf Cabs. It was a different time in the taxi industry — all vehicles were company owned and drivers were paid wages, at better than tradesman’s rates. By 1970 the economic climate had turned and taxis driver earnings began falling behind inflation. Over the years wages disappeared in favor of commission based earnings and individual ownership of taxis came in as a natural progression.

Tragically in 1974 Trevor Brougham was killed when his aircraft crashed outside of Port Lincoln. Trevor was survived by his W

Meet the Business Owner

Chris B.

Business Owner

Chris Brougham, BA (Acc), FAICD: Has worked in the passenger transport industry for over 40 years.

Chris is the Executive Chairman and major shareholder of the Des’s Group of Companies.

Under his leadership Des’s has grown to a fleet of more than two hundred buses, taxis and hire cars in Adelaide, Whyalla, Port Augusta and Port Lincoln in 2013.

Managing people, coaching, training and mentoring and general problem solving are all a part of his daily role. His key responsibilities include amongst others all things accounting and finance plus vehicle replacement planning. He is also a trained Rehabilitation and Return to Work Coordinator (RRTWC).

The highlight of starting Whyalla Airlines Pty Ltd in 1989 with his brother Kym turned into the daunting task of dismantling it post the very public tragedy that was the fateful flight 904 of 31^st May 2000.

He is a fully qualified accountant, a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Chairman of Country Taxis SA Inc. He