Dear Members,
Allow me to introduce myself as the newly elected President of the Australian Car Wash Association (ACWA). My name is Matt Hood, and I am deeply passionate about the car wash industry and the ongoing success of our association.
Firstly, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to past President Neil Fox for his outstanding dedication and leadership. Neil’s contribution has been invaluable, leaving ACWA in a strong position to continue growing and delivering value to our members. The future of ACWA is bright, and I am thrilled to be embarking on my presidential journey alongside you, the members.
Let me share a little about myself. I am married to Katrina, and we have three adult children—Marni, Abbey, and Kobie—as well as two wonderful grandchildren. Outside of work, I enjoy commentating for our local football league on RMFLTV during the winter season—a passion that keeps me connected to the community.
My professional journey began in our family’s Holden dealership. I started as an apprentice motor mechanic in 1988, moved into sales, and eventually succeeded my father, Peter, as Dealer Principal in 2014. Along the way, I also completed a building supervisor’s course in 2009, which proved invaluable when Katrina and I built our first car wash in Meningie in 2011.
Since then, our passion for the car wash industry has only grown.
After stepping away from the dealership in 2017, we took the opportunity to immerse ourselves more fully in the car wash industry, expanding both our operations and our understanding of this dynamic sector. In 2018, we purchased an existing car wash site in Somerton Park, which gave us invaluable hands-on experience and further fuelled our appetite for the industry. Building on that momentum, we undertook an ambitious project to construct a brand-new, state-of-the-art car wash in Adelaide during the challenging COVID-19 pandemic in 2021.
Earlier this year, we broadened our footprint even further by acquiring two car washes in Murray Bridge. This latest expansion reflects our commitment to delivering high-quality services to local communities and our confidence in the long-term future of the car wash industry. Each step in our car wash journey has deepened our appreciation for the innovation, hard work, and community connections that define our sector.
As your President, I am committed to ensuring ACWA continues to deliver member benefits, support industry growth, and serves as a vital resource for all members. Looking ahead, I am excited about ACWA’s plans to strengthen member networks, including hosting at least two state gatherings in each state throughout 2025. These events will provide opportunities to share knowledge, build relationships, and celebrate our collective passion for the car wash industry.
I strongly encourage all of you to participate and I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible in the year ahead. I also encourage you to share your feedback and suggestions on how we can make ACWA even better for all our members.
Please feel free to reach out—I am always happy to talk car washes!!
Warm Regards, Matt
President, Australian Car Wash Association
