A leading western Sydney bus industry identity passed away late last week
September 21, 2011
One of Sydney’s leading operators Graham Hopkinson, pictured, passed away aged 81 on Thursday September 15.
Until his passing, Hopkinson took an active role in his bus business Hopkinsons Bus Service at Smithfield in the heart of western Sydney.
Although senior in years, his passing took Hopkinsons staff and colleagues by surprise.
Graham Hopkinson had built a thriving construction business in the Parramatta district before getting into buses in 1978, starting with route services and gradually into coaches, as well as operating a travel agency.
In 1994, Hopkinson was the first private operator in Sydney to fit route service buses with air-conditioning, starting a trend which other private operators soon followed.
Hopkinson was also an active Director of Area Three Management, the coordinating body for private route service providers west of Parramatta
His memorial service will be held on Thursday, September 22 at Macarthur Grange Golf Club, Raby Road at Kearns commencing at 12.30pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations to The Australian Cancer Research Foundation are welcome.
A donation box and envelopes will be available at the service.