Locals celebrate in Gisborne

Independent BP operators David and Carolyn Mullooly had smiles from ear-to-ear as they watched BP’s management team don staff uniforms, wash windows and pump fuel today

As part of a charity auction, the Mullooly’s won the services of BP’s Managing Director Matt Elliott and General Manager of Retail Debi Boffa for the day at their two sites in Gisborne.

Mr Mullooly said he was overwhelmed with the number of visitors who popped in to “join in with the fun”.

“It’s been a huge day – we’ve kept Matt and Debi pretty busy!” he said.

The Mullooly’s bright green BP awnings are well-known to Gisborne locals, having been a part of the local community for three decades.

As active community members, their support has spanned Poverty Bay Rugby, the Ngatapa Sports Club, the local fishing club, Coastguard, the Child Cancer Foundation, schools and hundreds of local charity events.

As a long-standing owner and operator of two BP stores and Chairman of the BP 2go Board, Mr Mullooly said he is “amazed at how fast the time has gone”.

“We started here with young kids and now we have grandkids,” he said.

“We’re more than just a fuel retailer, we’re locals too and we care about the community.

“When you’ve been around as long as we have you get to know your customers and partners pretty well.”

BP Managing Director Matt Elliott said long-standing partnerships like the one they have with the Mullooly family are really special.

“What many people don’t know is that more than half of the BP network in New Zealand is owned and operated by kiwi business people just like Dave and Carolyn,” he said.

“They’re such an important part of the local community and we are thrilled that they wanted us to be a part of that today too.”

Even Surf Life Saving New Zealand got in on the action, with flags and BP IRBs from Midway Surf Life Saving Club sitting proudly on the forecourt.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand CEO Paul Dalton said the partnership between BP and Surf Life Saving New Zealand spanned almost five decades, and over the years some fantastic local relationships had been forged.

“Our partnership with BP is really important because our clubs are run by volunteers and they’re heavily reliant on donations,” he said.“

Events like this show the strength of the relationships between our local clubs and local BP businesses.”

Mr Elliott said the relationship with Surf Life Saving NZ kicked off in 1968 and is the longest unbroken corporate partnership in New Zealand history.

“That’s a pretty unique thing to be able to say and we’re incredibly proud of that.”

- Ends –

Notes

• In place since 1968, BP’s partnership with Surf Life Saving NZ (SLSNZ) is believed to be the longest-runningcorporate partnership in New Zealand history.
• BP has supported Young Enterprise Trust for 24 years. Young Enterprise Trust helps young people grow theirfinancial skills and entrepreneurial talents through programmes such as the BP Business Challenge and The Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme.