April 9 is a special date in the history of Barclay’s Radiator Services. 

It was on this day in 1946 that the business first opened its doors to the public in the old Bonds Store in Kincaid Street. 

Those old enough will remember Charles Barclay, the establishing business owner, working at the site alongside his son’s Bob and Kevin Barclay, and later his grandson James. 

The business operated in Kincaid Street for number of years before it was demolished to make way for the Pavilion Motor Inn in 1982. 

Its home became, and has remained ever since, 37 Pearson Street.

It was one of the first businesses to establish itself in the industrial precinct. 

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Charles handed over the reigns to Bob and Kevin, but continued to play a major role in the business. 

“He would still come down in his wheelchair and sit here watching the work,” Bob said. 

“It was a big part of his life; he couldn’t stay away.”

A career change in 1988 saw Kevin leave the business, selling his portion to his nephew James.

Bob and James continued to service the cooling systems of Wagga as a Natrad Auto Cooling Service Centre before James took over the business upon Bob’s retirement in 1996. 

In 2003 James purchased Wagga Car Air Conditioning from well-known and respected businessman Rick Priest, merging the two businesses to combine years of experience, knowledge and expertise. 

Well before the merger took place, then Year 10 student Jason Mattingly became interested in the industry and was trialed at the business.

Loving the work and proving his worth, he took on an apprenticeship and never looked back. 

Around 18 months ago James confidently handed over the business to the Mattingly’s. 

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“Buying it out as a natural progression – I went through as an apprentice to a worker to the manager of the business,” Jason said. 

“It was offered to me and we grabbed it with both hands.”

Barclay’s Radiator Service and Wagga Air Conditioning now has six full time staff and are active members of the MTA, VASA and the Wagga Business Chamber.