a passion for transport

Dylan Roberts, aged 26
Dylan and I settle into a seat at the Burwood Hospital café for our chat.

Dylan only has vague memories of his earlier years at the Champion Centre. However, he does remember Jan, Margi and Julie and the Centre building. He went on to attend St Martins Primary and had a great time and made some good friends. He had a teacher aide that supported him with his learning. Dylan attended Hagley Community College but didn’t enjoy high school that much. He did, however, enjoy cooking and woodwork classes.

In 2008 and 2009 Dylan volunteered at Ferrymead Heritage Park where he helped to restore, paint and sand the old trams. He worked on the diesel and trolley buses. Transport is Dylan’s passion. Dylan likes to stay active in his spare time. He likes to mountain bike or go on walks such as the Little River Rail trail. He commented that there is a great bakery at the café there. He sometimes joins his workmates for a drink at Rockpool, a bar in town.

Dylan proudly in front of his Mazda Axela.

Dylan lives independently and is flatting in Hornby with one other, but they are looking for a third flatmate. They take turns cooking, cleaning and mowing the lawns. Dylan’s speciality to cook is ‘spag bol’. I subtly enquire as to whether there is a significant other in his life and he says, ‘I just enjoy my life, be positive and maybe the right woman will come along.’ Sounds like a sensible idea to me.

Dylan has worked at Apex Car Rentals as a car groomer, based near the airport, for five years. He grooms and washes vehicles and takes cars to VINZ and to the storage lockup. ‘I love my work!’ I’m an early riser; my alarm goes off at 4.30am and I work 5.45am until 4.00pm, five days a week. ‘I have stayed there so long because I love it. My boss Grant and I are good mates,’ says Dylan as he proudly wears his new steel cap safety work boots, top of the range. 

Prior to the worldwide epidemic, Dylan was working more than full-time hours. However he is currently working three days a week until the international tourists start coming back and the business picks up. I ask if he is saving for anything and he says, ‘No, just saving, just in case.’ He interrupts our conversation as he spots Jan Murphy across the room and confidently goes up and says ‘Hi’.

A highlight for Dylan was when he bought his car last year, a Mazda Axela 2010, after passing his restricted driver’s license, on his first time.  Then a couple of weeks ago he also passed his full license, first time! ‘I bought myself a new stereo as a reward, one with Bluetooth as the other one just had an old radio.’ At Easter, he was planning on driving down to Dunedin and staying in a motel for the long weekend to catch up with mates. I'm sure he will plan that for another weekend now.

Dylan has a good relationship with his family and every Sunday evening he goes around to his family home for dinner. Unfortunately, his Grandad passed away the end of last year. Dylan has fond memories of Grandad taking him to the Christchurch International Airport when he was younger, to the viewing platform to watch the planes land. ‘They were the days of the old 737-200 aircrafts.’ He has flown with his family to Canada in 2013 and has travelled to Australia several times.
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One thing is for sure, with Dylan’s positive attitude and vitality for life, the world is his oyster.

Dylan at work at Apex Rental Cars.