EARLIER this month on April 6, Kostera’s celebrated its 100th birthday at the Kalamunda History Village.

A century ago, a garage, bus and taxi service opened in Kalamunda and traded as Kostera and Webster.

Not long after, Kostera became the sole proprietor, and his three sons joined him in the business.

During the mid-1950s, Kostera’s was the largest business in Kalamunda with 21 buses in his fleet, plus two taxis and a well-equipped workshop.

“The Kostera workshop earned a good reputation, and it provided important services for local orchardists and transport operators – because of its extensive range of equipment and skills,” Mr Kostera said.

“Apart from repairing and servicing their own fleet, they made major modifications to many buses and trucks, even for other bus companies.”

On the day, there was a convoy of 1930s cars and 1950s buses leaving Kostera Oval in the afternoon and Kostera descendants arrived at the village in an original 1952 AEC bus, which was part of the Kostera’s bus fleet.

Stuart Kostera junior said the day was a relaxing one as attendees flicked through old photos, signed a memory book and shared moments amongst each other.

To commemorate the day, the family gathered around, with their matching celebration shirts, and planted a eucalyptus tree at the village.

Mr Kostera said the tree reflected the shop’s 100 years of life and hoped, it too, would live long in the years to come.

He said he was grateful and proud to have the shop in the family throughout all the years and hoped it would continue to stay this way.

He pointed to his kids sitting in the car and said ‘that’s the next generation right there’.