When Horsham’s Gary Howden was approached with the idea of becoming a Telstra agent, mobile phones were a rare commodity.

More than 25 years on, the well-known licensee for the Australian telecommunications company has seen many exciting technology developments that the majority of us could not think of living without.

Anybody who has walked along Horsham’s Firebrace Street in the past week, however, might have noticed a change to the Telstra store that is under Mr Howden’s company Howdy.

The shop was officially re-opened in its new location at 72-74 Firebrace Street on Thursday last week.

Mr Howden also used the date to announce he was stepping aside as licensee, alongside Scott Kelly, for Howdy and its Telstra stores in Horsham, Warrnambool, Ararat and Hamilton.

Mr Howden said business partners Michael Robins and Sebastian Caruso would be the new owners.

However, he reassured customers that he would still be involved with the stores.

“I want to reassure the thousand-odd customers I have in my phone that I’m still here and I’ve still got your back,” he said.

“We’ll still have the same service and I’ll still be available to look after your home and business needs.

“I’ll be involved and helping as needed by Michael and Sebastian.” 

Mr Howden started as a Telstra agent by selling mobile phones from the boot of his car, before becoming a Telstra dealer and opening his first mobile-phone store ‘Horsham Mobile Phones’ in 1994.

Fast forward to last year, and he was opening his fifth store at Warrnambool’s Gateway Plaza, providing residents the option of two locations for their mobile-phone needs.

Howdy operations manager Michelle Reid said the company ‘can’t forget or overlook all the hard work and dedication Gary has put into Howdy over the years’.

– Lotte Reiter

The entire December 4, 2019 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!