Ralph Albert Alfred King
THE FOUNDER
10/05/1933 – 27/07/2024
Ralph was born on the 10th of May 1933 in the tiny town of Queenstown here in Tasmania to his devoted parents Leonard and Daphne King. The three eventually relocated to Hobart to live in Ralph’s grandmother’s home at 20 Main Road Moonah.
Ralph attended his early days of schooling at Campbell Street School until the age of six years. He then commenced school at Newtown Primary where his passion for music and building began! This is where Ralph built his first ever sailing boat which would soon become a major part of his lifes journey.
Whilst at school he joined the Brass Band in Hobart with his friend Kevin Smith who was the drum major (Ralph continued to play within the band being a life member of the Hobart Veterans Brass Band up until recent months). The two of them used to walk into Hobart for band practice each week and play at the city hall draughts club.
Ralph was led astray or instigated at this stage of his life the art of draining fuel from the service station pumps and throwing it into the rivulet followed by igniting it to create a huge explosion.
Ralph was not a huge fan of school sports, his skill and enthusiasm in woodwork and engineering led him and fellow students to use sports periods to build a twelve-foot sailing dingy which they used to race at the Sandy Bay Dingy Club.
After finishing school in 1947 Ralph started his fitting and turning apprenticeship with Saunders and Ward. He completed his training in 1952. Ralph then moved onto working at Webster’s Ltd where he completed his diesel mechanic course. During this period he also completed National Service in Brighton Tasmania.
Around the year of 1948 Ralph also began his life long association, making him a life member, with the Royal Hobart Regatta Association. Ralph both competed and served within the committee for around 77 years representing his love for rowing, sailing and powerboat racing.
In 1949 Ralph took up his passion for powerboat racing which spanned over 75 years involvement within the Motor Yacht Club of Tasmania. Ralph was a life member and Club Patron helping with relocation and construction sketches of the new MYCT club house.
Ralphs contributions to powerboat racing was endless apart from becoming a State and National Outboard Championship winner. He organised race meetings, powerboat long distance trials, cruiser time trials, social functions… the list goes on! Ralph was also very known for his generosity when it came to sponsorships.
In the mid 1950’s Ralph also started his life long association in motorsport with friends like Max Stephens and David Powel Senior. Racing motorbikes, open wheelers and motorcars interstate and in Tasmania at Longford, Symmons plains and Baskerville Raceway.
He always said that he was one of many who marked out Baskerville raceway with white painted rocks.
Another achievement in his younger years was graduating from Modern Ballroom Dancing in 1954, a little bit different from the normal interests as shown above.
Ralph had been manufacturing, machining and repairing almost anything required since approximately 1949 which pushed him in the direction of starting his own company ‘King Towbars and Trailers’ in the early 60s. Ralph wanted to solve the issue of trasporting boats, cars and motorcycles to events and also manufacturing towbars to suit said vehicles.
In 1984 King Towbars and Trailers soon become a market leader Australia wide in manufacturing the likes of: Towbars, bullbars, oil tanks, boat and box trailers, caravans… the list again goes on! If you needed it he would build it or repair it!
The company quickly moved into retail trading and in 1989 Kings Caravans, now known as Jayco Hobart, emerged making the dealership Tasmania’s state distributor for Jayco caravans and motorhomes. His relationship with Gerry Ryan has lasted until this day some 35 years on.
We now have four sites within King Trailer Industries; King Towbars and Trailers, ARB Hobart, Jayco Hobart and King Caravans Service Centre (also know as Jayco Hobart Service Centre).
Away From His Career
Ralph met Anne Riley and they promptly developed a loving relationship, it didn’t take long before the two were married on the 11th of July 1958. Soon after they welcomed their three children; Gregory in 1959, Rodney in 1962 and Suzanne in 1964. Ralph and Anne’s life was quite busy with raising three children, attending multiple sporting events and building his empire (The family business).
Ralph and Anne were happily married for 56 years before the passing of Anne in 2014. In 2016 Ralph was lucky enough to find great friendship, compatibility and companionship with Gwen Hardstaff. They went on many adventures from exploring Tasmania in the motorhome to travelling overseas throughout Europe. They created many memories that will live on through Gwen.
Ralph passed on the 27th of July 2024.
Hard work was one of Ralphs hallmarks. He approached every task with determination and dedication, never shying away from a challenge. His career was a testament to his relentless work ethic and profound knowledge in various fields of industry.
His visits will be sadly missed around the company but his spirit will live on through us.
As he always liked to end each phone call, Over & Out!