 The
Jet Service Station was designed by Eric H Round, a prominent
architect who designed many important buildings in Hobart. Commenced
in 1935 and completed in 1936 for the Ohlsen family. Vern Reid
bought the property in 1945 and it has been in the Reid family since
then. The Jet was the first cut-price fuel outlet in Tasmania.
The building is a double brick, two storey Art Deco service station and residence and makes a prominent feature on Sandy Bay Road. Vern Reid, a well know Tasmanian identity had a colourful career and as well as being a car and aircraft mechanic he was a pioneer in the flying world and has many 'firsts' for landing in remote Tasmanian scenic spots, such as Lake Pedder in the South West Wilderness. His three sons have all followed in their fathers' foot-steps. Eugene runs a flying school, Patrick is an aerial photographer and Vern Junior was the last of the boys to run the service station together with how mother, Carmel, who started Carmelinas' Licensed Restaurant on the site in 2004. |