About Our Business

Three Green Semi-trucks Parked on Grass Under a Blue Sky — Dawson's Removals In Kelso, NSW

Our Story

Removals Since '48

Dawson’s Removals has been helping Australians move since 1948. Founded by Neville Dawson, the business began with local transport and delivery work before expanding into furniture removals and storage across regional New South Wales. By the 1960s and 70s, Dawson’s had secured major furniture freight contracts and built purpose-designed warehouses to support growing demand.


The company continued to expand through new depots, larger fleets and the introduction of containerised storage and transport. In 2001, ownership passed to Neville’s son Peter and his wife Bernadette, ensuring the business remained family run.


Today, Dawson’s Removals operates a modern fleet and extensive storage facilities, providing local, interstate and international furniture removals, as well as commercial freight and department store deliveries across Australia.

The Story of Dawson’s Removals

Dawson’s Removals is known today as a trusted Australian removalist with national reach, but its foundations were laid decades earlier through hard work, steady growth and a family commitment to doing the job properly. From a single vehicle to a multi-depot operation, each chapter reflects the evolution of Australian transport and the people behind it.

THEN

1948 — The Beginning of a Transport Career

Neville Dawson left school in 1948 and began an apprenticeship as a motor mechanic. Upon completing his training, he turned his attention to transport, gaining early experience operating a taxi truck that carried both passengers and parcel deliveries. This hands-on start laid the groundwork for a business built on mechanical knowledge, reliability and practical problem-solving.

1960 — Expanding Into Delivery Services

In 1960, Neville expanded operations into mail and grocery deliveries with the purchase of a utility and panel van. As demand grew, his wife Johanna became actively involved in the business, marking the beginning of Dawson’s as a true family operation.

1962–1967 — The Move Into Removals and Storage

An office opened at 89 George Street, Bathurst in 1962 and a seven-day operation commenced, including a milk run to Oberon and daily services to Orange via Blayney.

By 1964, Dawson’s had secured a contract to deliver furniture for Walton’s Stores. Household furniture removals soon followed, and in 1967 an 8,000 square foot warehouse was built at 90 Durham Street, Bathurst to support furniture storage — a significant step in establishing Dawson’s as a removalist.

1972–1977 — Growth Across NSW

In 1972, Walton’s awarded Dawson’s a major contract to transport new furniture from Sydney to Bathurst and further west. To support this work, premises were leased at Chipping Norton to receive inbound goods.

By 1974, additional furniture retailers including Norman Ross and Myers-Grace Bros began using Dawson’s services, leading to the opening of a new 10,000 square foot warehouse at Wetherill Park.

By 1977, the company employed 20 staff and operated a fleet of 10 vehicles. That same year, Dawson’s secured a contract to provide storage and handling for a multinational pet food manufacturer, prompting further expansion and relocation to the current Littlebourne site in Kelso.

1993–1999 — Expansion and the Container Era

In 1993, Dawson’s expanded further by acquiring Amos Removals, establishing depots in Dubbo and Tamworth. Two years later, the company became a member of the Australian Furniture Removals Association (AFRA), a membership it maintains today.

By 1997, Neville Dawson was overseeing a workforce of 96 staff, a fleet of 25 trucks and 8 service vehicles, with total storage capacity reaching 460,000 square feet.

In 1999, Dawson’s entered the container era with the purchase of removal containers, a container forklift and the conversion of a prime mover into a container truck, setting the business up for modern interstate and rail transport.

2001 — A New Generation Takes the Helm

In 2001, Neville and Johanna retired and sold the business to their son Peter and his wife Bernadette.

Peter had joined the company in 1982 as a mechanic after completing a diesel apprenticeship and had worked across every part of the business — from maintenance and removals to line haul driving and operations management. This continuity ensured the company’s growth remained grounded in practical experience.

NOW

2007–Today — Modern Capability, Trusted Service

Dawson’s continued to expand with the addition of a B-Double in 2007 and the engagement of subcontractors to support growing demand.

Today, the business operates with extensive container storage capacity, specialised container trucks, forklifts across depots and a diverse fleet that allows Dawson’s to compete with national providers while maintaining local knowledge and service standards.

Dawson’s Removals now delivers new furniture and fragile items for major department stores west of the Blue Mountains and provides household furniture removals locally, Australia-wide and internationally.