27/05/2026
Vale John George
It is with great sadness that we share the passing of John George, who founded Austeng with his son Ross.
John was an exceptional engineer, combining innovation with entrepreneurial vision. A larger-than-life character, he made a lasting impact on many people and leaves behind an extraordinary legacy.
His contribution to the engineering and manufacturing sector in Geelong and beyond was significant. In addition to continuing GD Engineering in the early '60's (a business started by his father ) and co-founding Austeng, John also acquired a major early stage stake in Prince Engineering, which grew from a small industrial firm in the late 1960s into a major heavy engineering and fabrication company employing hundreds of people across multiple sites throughout Australia due, in no small part to his visionary leadership contribution. Today, a portion of that business continues to evolve, focusing on renewable energy and infrastructure.
John also played a critical role in revitalising struggling businesses, including Hercules Truck Bodies and Hirst Engineering , successfully reviving them before moving on to new ventures.
He was deeply committed to sharing his knowledge and mentoring others at Austeng, and we owe him a great debt of gratitude for this. His legacy continues with his grandsons Russell & Davis now in the business. Generally, his leadership and commitment to innovation helped shape a culture of engineering excellence, particularly in the Geelong region.
John will be remembered not only for his professional achievements, but for his generosity, vision, and the enduring influence he had on our industry and community.