Vale Glen Roland

Elphinstone Engineering is deeply saddened to acknowledge the passing of our colleague and friend, Glen Roland.
Glen dedicated more than three decades of his life to Elphinstone Engineering, joining the company straight out of school in 1995 and progressing from a young draughtsman to Triabunna Factory Manager. His intelligence, determination, and quiet leadership helped shape not only our products and processes, but also the people around him.

This tribute honours Glen’s remarkable journey, his contribution to the business, and the legacy he leaves behind.

Glen joined Elphinstone Engineering in 1995 straight out of school, beginning his career as a young draughtsman with quiet confidence and an unmistakable spark. Graeme Elphinstone fondly recalls those early days, recalling a young Glen who, by his own admission, was “bluffing his way through AutoCAD” when he first arrived. It didn’t take long for that bluff to turn into genuine mastery.

“Glen was super quick on the computer,” Graeme said. “He was a sponge for knowledge; very observant, and he picked things up incredibly fast. We had another experienced draughtsman here at the time who taught Glen a lot about AutoCAD, and Glen absorbed it all almost instantly.”

By 1997, Glen’s growing skill and sharp technical mind saw him working closely with Graeme on the development of what would become the first Easyloader trailer; one of the company’s most significant designs.

“Glen drew up the very first Easyloader,” Graeme recalled. “He’d sit there with his fingers hovering over the keyboard like a Formula One driver on the start grid—ready to go the instant the lights went out. I’d say we need a pin here or a change there, and in lightning speed, he’d have it done. He was way faster than anyone using a mouse. He did everything on the keyboard. We worked side by side in the drafting office for months, bringing that trailer to life.”

Beyond drafting, Glen possessed a brilliant mathematical mind. Recognising this, Graeme offered him a role in the front office, working closely with him on job costings.

“At the time, out in the workshop, there was a belief that if you moved down to the front office, the next move was out the door,” Graeme explained. “I told Glen not to worry, that this would be his future. Glen trusted me, and he spent the next ten years working with me on job costings.”

When the position of workshop supervisor later became available, Glen once again surprised those around him by putting his hand up. Graeme admits he was initially apprehensive.

“I told him, ‘You’ve got no mechanical skills, you can’t do that sort of work. Those boys out in the workshop will kill you,” Graeme said. “But Glen was determined. Next thing I know, he’s gone out, bought himself some tools, and started working alongside the men. He’d never pulled a spanner in his life. He was a bit clumsy at first, but he persevered, learned, and mastered the tasks. That’s how he earned the role of workshop supervisor.”

In time, Glen progressed to become Triabunna Factory Manager, taking responsibility for the day-to-day running of the factory. He was widely respected in that role by his workmates and customers alike, leading with quiet authority, fairness, and integrity.

Outside of work, Glen’s life was defined by three great passions: his family, his love of soccer, and his work at Elphinstone Engineering. He spoke of each with equal pride and commitment, and he gave his best to all three.

For Graeme, Glen was more than a long-serving employee.

“Glen was like a son to me,” Graeme said. “I watched him grow from a young bloke straight out of school into a leader who carried enormous responsibility. I was incredibly proud of the man he became.”

Glen’s journey—from school-leaver draughtsman to factory manager—stands as a testament to his determination and character. His legacy lives on not only in the designs he helped create and the systems he built, but in the people he mentored, the respect he earned, and the culture he helped shape.

Glen Roland will be deeply missed by everyone at Elphinstone Engineering.

Our thoughts are with Glen’s family, friends, teammates, and loved ones at this difficult time.