NEWS RELEASE October 16, 2023
After 25 Years We Revisit Our Very First John Deere Financial Customer George Him
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John Deere Financial's first customer, Oasis Berries owner, George Him (left) and son Jet Nguyen.
Crestmead, Queensland (16th October 2023) — GEORGE Him's life has been an incredible journey. From fleeing the horrors of the Pol Pot regime in Cambodia to making a fresh start in 1980s Melbourne, and, today, quietly overlooking South East Queensland's Glasshouse Mountains as pickers bring in a winter crop of strawberries at his aptly named Oasis Berries.
"When I first started the business here, I was very young," George said.
"I was in my twenties and most of the banks would turn me down. They said it was a high risk."
George needed a tractor to help with everything from preparing the ground to spraying for pests and diseases. When he visited his local John Deere dealership he heard about its new offering, John Deere Credit, now known as John Deere Financial.
"We were approved for the loan and from there on we've never gone anywhere else," he said.
"We've stuck with John Deere."
Since then, Oasis Berries has expanded to include multiple properties in Queensland at Caboolture and Stanthorpe, allowing them to grow the fleet of John Deere machinery and develop the business.
"I'd suppose you could say it's in our blood, growing strawberries," George said.
"I've gone through it all, from being a picker, to a grower, to now you could say an entrepreneur."
George says determination and hard work was instilled in him from his earliest years. After his father disappeared one night at the hands of the Cambodian regime, his mother uprooted her six children and escaped, taking the few possessions they could carry onto the plane.
"We migrated to Melbourne in 1983 as refugees — so we thank the Australian government — and ever since we have been in the strawberry industry," George said.
"We were working for Italian families back in those days and my family bought our first property in Wandin, just out of Melbourne, in 1985 when the interest rate was at 18%.
"We paid it off in two years and the bank manager was very surprised and asked how we did it.
"We didn't tell him that we had a four-bedroom house that we turned it into a mini factory and made costumes, like batman costumes. After school I would go to the farm or help with the sewing.
"And the whole family collectively worked together and never drew wages and that's how we made ends meet."
Today, George has five children of his own, with eldest son Jet Nguyen now in his twenties and keen to take over the business.
"I love strawberry farming because I think it's been passed down from my dad and I reckon I will pass it down to my kids," Jet said.
Jet recalls early memories of sitting in the cab of the John Deere with George as he worked the farm. These days, he's the one behind the wheel.
"Before the season starts, we use the tractors a lot," Jet said.
"We do a lot of groundwork with it — grading, packing the ground in, moving the dirt. After that we just use the smaller ones to do spraying and slashing.
"John Deere is the best because of the power, especially the new one we have — it just goes. It's really simple to drive."
For George the simplicity is also the key.
"Maybe I'm used to the green and gold but it's much easier to operate a John Deere," George said.
"They're very reliable, well built and look better than all the other ones too.
"I love John Deere to be honest."
About John Deere:
Deere & Company is a global leader in the delivery of agricultural, golf & turf, construction, and forestry equipment. We help our customers push the boundaries of what's possible in ways that are more productive and sustainable to help life leap forward. Our technology-enabled products including the John Deere Autonomous 8R Tractor and See & Spray™ are just two of the ways we help meet the world's increasing need for food, shelter, and infrastructure. Deere & Company also provides financial services through John Deere Financial. For more information, visit John Deere at its worldwide website at JohnDeere.com or in Australia at JohnDeere.com.au.
Media enquiries:
Matt Wordsworth
matt.wordsworth@bluehillpr.com.au
0438 394 371
Grace Wickson
grace.wickson@bluehillpr.com.au
0432 748 836
