July 29, 2024

Two dozen Australian finalists in the running for John Deere Technician of the Year Awards

Crestmead, Queensland (29 July, 2024) – A former camel dairy farmer, an avid motorcyclist obsessed with the colour pink, and a collector of John Deere equipment scale models are just some of the 24 Australian finalists in this year's 2024 John Deere Technician of the Year Awards.

The Awards program, established in 2021, recognises and celebrates the important role technicians play in keeping John Deere's customers operating to support Australia's vital agriculture, construction and forestry industries.

More than 130 nominees from 69 dealership locations were put forward for this year's event, demonstrating the momentum the awards program has gained across Australia and New Zealand. The Australian finalists will travel to Brisbane in early September for a final round of intense judging where they will be tested on their ability to perform hands-on diagnostics and troubleshoot and solve technical issues on the spot.

John Deere Australia and New Zealand Managing Director, Luke Chandler, congratulated the finalists and recognised the huge value they bring to their dealerships, communities and the broader industries they support.

"Technicians require a unique combination of mechanical knowledge, proficiency in digital technology and advanced problem-solving skills to support customers' operations, helping them to increase their uptime, enhance productivity and promote sustainable practices across their business," Mr Chandler said.

"All the finalists should be extremely proud that their dedication, hard work and commitment to excellent customer service was recognised by their dealerships and congratulated on passing the first round of internal judging.

"We look forward to welcoming the finalists to our headquarters at Crestmead, where their diagnostic and problem-solving skills will be put to the test in a series of complex real-life scenarios."

Eight titles will be awarded across five categories in the 2024 John Deere Technician of the Year Awards, which includes individual country awards for the Agriculture & Turf Service Technician of the Year, Parts Technician of the Year, and Construction & Forestry Service Technician of the Year. One award winner, from either New Zealand or Australia, will be announced as the Service Apprentice of the Year. Five Australian apprentices will compete for the Parts Apprentice of the Year Award.

Diverse finalists have common threads

John Deere Australia and New Zealand Director of Aftermarket and Customer Support, Emma Ford, said while the group of Australian finalists were all individuals with exceptional skills, the one common thread was their commitment to their customers.

"This year, across our Australian finalists, we have a number of new entrants from all across the country, and we are pleased to welcome back several returning regional finalists and winners from previous years," Ms Ford said.

"Some have come from traditional farming backgrounds and always had an interest in pursuing a career in agriculture or heavy machinery, whereas other finalists have made this career choice later in life.

"Regardless of their pathway to their current role, they are all deeply committed to delivering exceptional service for customers, and to making the most of all the opportunities they have to grow their career and excel in their field."

The Award winners will be announced at the John Deere Technician of the Year Awards gala event on Thursday, 5 September 2024.

2024 JOHN DEERE TECHNICIAN AWARD AUSTRALIAN FINALISTS

(Biographies below)

Agriculture & Turf Service Technician of the Year
(will compete for an Australian only Award)

  • Brady Gunter, Hutcheon & Pearce, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales
  • Karl Moschella, Honeycombes, Ayr, Queensland
  • Rodney Pearce, Hutcheon & Pearce, Lavington, New South Wales
  • Bradley Skinner, AFGRI Equipment, Esperance, Western Australia
  • James Smart, Emmetts, Horsham, Victoria
  • Zac Weir, RDO Equipment, Gympie, Queensland

Parts Technician of the Year
(will compete for an Australian only Award)

  • Andrew Keller, Hutcheon & Pearce, Lavington, New South Wales
  • Kirsten Rush, Brandt, Ballarat, Victoria
  • Alex Tyler, Emmetts, Murray Bridge, South Australia
  • Emma Whitbread-Edwards, RDO Equipment, Richlands, Queensland

Construction & Forestry Technician of the Year
(will compete for an Australian only Award)

  • Hayden Cox, RDO Equipment, Eastern Creek, New South Wales
  • Andrew Moat, RDO Equipment, Derrimut, Victoria
  • Ben Mummery, AFGRI Equipment, Albany, Western Australia
  • Johannes Viljoen, AFGRI Equipment, Busselton, Western Australia

Service Apprentice of the Year
(will also compete against two New Zealand finalists for a combined Australian/New Zealand Award)

  • Owen Armstrong, Hutcheon & Pearce, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales
  • Daniel Barnes, RDO Equipment, Beaudesert, Queensland
  • Samuel Dyer, Emmetts, Pinnaroo, South Australia
  • Josh Kramer, Emmetts, Roseworthy, South Australia
  • Nicholas Lattanzio, Emmetts, Horsham, Victoria

Parts Apprentice of the Year
(will compete against each other for the Award)

  • Belinda Gade, Emmetts, Renmark, South Australia
  • Matthew Giuntini, RDO Equipment, Eastern Creek, New South Wales
  • Tracy Hogan, RDO Equipment, Emerald, Queensland
  • Wyatt Sciacca, Honeycombes, Innisfail, Queensland
  • Hannah Goedhart-Hutchings, AFGRI Equipment, Merredin, Western Australia

 

AUSTRLIAN FINALIST BIOGRAPHIES

AGRICULTURE & TURF SERVICE TECHNICIAN OF THE YEAR

Brady Gunter, Hutcheon & Pearce, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales

Working on John Deere equipment was a dream job for Brady Gunter, who says his fascination with the brand started from a young age. After completing a trade as a mobile plant technician in Port Macquarie on the New South Wales east coast, he moved west to apply his mechanical skills on a livestock farm. A newfound interest in agriculture led him to a position at the Hutcheon & Pearce (H&P) John Deere dealership in Finley, where he completed a Certificate III in Agricultural Mechanical Technology through TAFE.

Now a familiar face at the Wagga Wagga H&P dealership, Brady takes pride in building the trust of customers by understanding their needs and providing exceptional service. He appreciates the opportunities for continuous learning that come with the role, both from formal training and exposure to a wide range of equipment and technology, as well as the positive feedback he receives from customers and colleagues.

Karl Moschella, Honeycombes, Ayr, Queensland

Before Karl Moschella was interviewed for an apprenticeship at Honeycombes Sales and Service in Ayr, he was so nervous he drove past the workshop twice before mustering up the courage to go in. That decision more than 20 years ago proved to be lifechanging, with Karl still at Honeycombes as a Field Service Technician and a three-time finalist in the John Deere Technician of the Year Awards.

Karl has proudly achieved the status of John Deere Master Technician, with his expertise in sugar cane harvesters proving an invaluable resource for customers and colleagues. He runs the pre-season maintenance program for sugar cane harvesters for the Honeycombes group across North Queensland, and has travelled to the United States to assist with quality control of new sugar cane harvesters at the John Deere Thibodaux Works in Louisiana.

Karl says he still "bleeds green" after all these years and insists that "Nothing Runs Like a Deere". Knowing customers rely on him to get the most out of their machine pushes him to keep learning and innovating to find the best solutions. He said the highlight of his career is the lasting relationships he's developed with customers, many who he now calls friends. A career as a Service Technician has given Karl opportunities he never thought were possible.

Rodney Pearce, Hutcheon & Pearce, Lavington, New South Wales

If his name is anything to go by, you can guarantee Rodney Pearce ended up in the right place when he joined the Hutcheon and Pearce team as an Agriculture and Turf Service Technician. Though not related to the company's namesakes, Rodney may as well be part of the family, having clocked up 20 years of service.

Quickly developing a preference for working with John Deere equipment during his apprenticeship with a used machinery dealership which stocked various makes of combine harvesters, Rodney's love for the brand goes back more than 25 years, to the days when he worked on his father's John Deere machines.

It was on the family's small farm where his interest in anything mechanical was fostered, and he knew from an early age "a life on the tools" was where he was headed. It's a career path that's brought immense satisfaction, with each completion of a major repair yielding a deep sense of achievement as the machine returns to service and is once again operating correctly.

Brad Skinner, AFGRI Equipment, Esperance, Western Australia

An Agriculture & Turf Service Technician during business hours, and a collector of John Deere equipment scale models in his personal time, Brad is a true lover of the brand. However, it wasn't until he joined AFGRI Equipment at Esperance in 2018 to undertake an agricultural mechanic apprenticeship that he first had the chance to work on John Deere equipment, servicing and learning on seeding equipment, tractors, combine harvesters, sprayers and attachments. Hailing from a thriving agricultural region and having grown up working on motorbikes and cars on the family property at Esperance, Brad said it was "quite fitting" to follow in the footsteps of his dad and brother, who both have a mechanical trade.

Now in his seventh year in the role, the rewarding feeling of getting a machine back up and running hasn't waned, and Brad particularly enjoys the in-field aspect of his work. An advocate for seizing all training and development opportunities, Brad is set to commence an automotive electrical trade to complement his existing skills and enjoys mentoring the apprentices at AFGRI Equipment.

James Smart, Emmetts, Horsham, Victoria

A career with John Deere has taken James Smart from one side of the world to the other. As a teenager, his work on a dairy farm in North Yorkshire in the UK gave him his first exposure to working on John Deere equipment, before honing these skills via a service technician apprenticeship at the local dealership in Ripon. James travelled to Australia in 2012 for what was initially planned to be one year, however he decided to stay and continued working on farms around New South Wales and Queensland. He took on roles at various agriculture brand dealerships around Australia, however he said returning to a John Deere dealership (Emmetts in Horsham, Western Victoria) reminded him why he chose this career path.

James said being a service technician is not just about fixing machines, but helping customers use all the features available on John Deere equipment to increase their efficiency. He enjoys 'keeping farmers farming' and passing on his knowledge to colleagues so they can help customers do the same. He says there is a career path with a John Deere dealership to suit anyone, whether you love "getting your hands dirty, exploring cutting edge technology or anything in between".

Zac Weir, RDO Equipment, Gympie, Queensland

As a young boy, Zac Weier was interested in anything with a motor, and delighted in collecting models of tractors and construction equipment. Determined to become a diesel mechanic and develop skills to repair and service machinery in the field, he went to Trade Training School and completed work experience with a local diesel mechanic. Zac's drive and tenacity secured him an apprenticeship working on agricultural equipment, before applying for a field service technician role at RDO Equipment's Gympie dealership in 2022, where he works on both agricultural and construction equipment.

Zac takes immense pride in providing high quality service to customers. He said the ongoing training and support not only teaches him new skillsets, but also provides the opportunity to workshop with staff from other locations and build relationships within the network, which he finds invaluable.

Making it through to the final judging of the 2024 John Deere Technician of the Year Awards is Zac's proudest moment of his career so far. He said it has shown him that the hard work has paid off, he's a valued employee, and his customer base appreciates the effort he puts in to keep their machinery running.

PARTS TECHNICIAN OF THE YEAR

Andrew Keller, Hutcheon & Pearce, Lavington, New South Wales

Spending time on his grandparents' farms in Western Victoria was the catalyst for Andrew Keller's passion to pursue a career in agriculture. After finishing school via a traineeship on a farm in Henty, Andrew worked at the local abattoir in Wodonga for more than 18 years, before the desire for a career change led him to the Hutcheon & Pearce (H&P) John Deere dealership in 2022.

Hesitant at first to leave a job he was comfortable in, Andrew said he now often wonders why he didn't do it sooner. Despite having no mechanical background, he says the team at H&P helped him find his feet in the role of Parts Interpreter, where he enjoys working alongside technicians in the workshop, helping to diagnose repairs, sourcing parts, and allocating all parts for pre-deliveries. He looks forward to continuing his journey with John Deere and pursuing the great opportunities for growth.

Andrew is a familiar face in the Henty community, having played more than 300 games for the 'Swampies' in the Hume Australian Football League, and is a regular volunteer at the annual Henty Machinery Field Days as part of the footy club.

Kirsten Rush, Brandt, Ballarat, Victoria

Working as a receptionist at Brandt Ballarat in 2017 was the first time Kirsten Rush had been involved in agriculture, however she brought some very useful and transferable skills to the role – local knowledge and customer service. Kirsten had previously been employed as a sales representative for local radio stations where she built strong relationships with customers. She also honed her mentoring and training skills at the Ballarat Soccer Club, where she captains the Senior Women's team, coaches juniors and is an active committee member.

Kirsten enjoyed working at Brandt so much that after 12 months, she moved into a Service Administration position for four years, before starting in her current role as a Parts Technician. She's most proud of this transition, which has enabled her to apply her skills in a more impactful way. Kirsten's seven-year journey has given her a deep appreciation of agriculture and the importance of providing timely and accurate support to keep farmers operational.

Her advice to people considering a similar career in a John Deere dealership is to stay curious, keep learning, and provide exceptional customer service. With the industry growing and technology changing, Kirsten appreciates the many training opportunities, including John Deere University, which have facilitated her career growth.

Alex Tyler, Emmetts, Murray Bridge, South Australia

Growing up in the tiny rural South Australian town of Pinnaroo, Alex Tyler would see the John Deere logo everywhere, and even came to know the names of different machines and models. So, when the chance presented itself to work at the Emmetts John Deere dealership in his adopted hometown of Murray Bridge, he jumped at the opportunity.

Alex said the past three years at Emmetts has flown past as he has learned the intricate details of the machines he admired as a child, while using that technical knowledge to develop lasting relationships with people in his community. No two days are the same for Alex, who supports customers spanning a diverse range of industries including livestock, horticulture, viticulture and broadacre cropping.

Emma Whitbread-Edwards, RDO Equipment, Richlands, Queensland

Emma Whitbread-Edwards spent nearly 10 years working in childcare, but always had a passion for machinery. During a period of maternity leave in 2021, she decided to pursue this love, and landed an apprenticeship as a Parts Interpreter at RDO Equipment in Richlands, Brisbane. The role ignited her enthusiasm for heavy equipment even more, becoming fully qualified in August 2023 and promoted to Parts Team Leader in June 2024.

Emma said she could never have imagined achieving what she has so soon in her new career and is determined to keep progressing within John Deere. She enjoys supporting a variety of customers every day and helping them with their unique and sometimes complex enquiries, which drives her personal and professional growth in the role. Emma's advice for anyone considering a similar career change, is to "take the leap and don't look back". She said the rewards are abundant, the possibilities are endless and there is always something new to learn.

CONSTRUCTION & FORESTRY TECHNICIAN OF THE YEAR

Hayden Cox, RDO Equipment, Eastern Creek, New South Wales

Proudly returning for a second time as a Construction and Forestry category finalist, Hayden Cox has three years' experience working on John Deere equipment. His love of all things mechanical from a very young age led him to an apprenticeship as a service technician before he made the move to John Deere at the RDO Equipment dealership in Sydney's Eastern Creek. He recognises the machinery he works on is crucial to his customers' livelihoods, so ensures he treats it with the utmost care and respect. Hayden finds great satisfaction in diagnosing and fixing issues to get customers back up and running.

Andrew Moat, RDO Equipment, Derrimut, Victoria

After completing an apprenticeship as an aircraft mechanic, Andrew Moat switched gears (literally) to undertake a diesel mechanic apprenticeship and work on heavy machinery. Three years ago, he found his true calling working on John Deere construction and forestry equipment at the RDO dealership in the west Melbourne suburb of Derrimut.

Andrew enjoys the challenge of diagnosing faults and the sense of achievement in repairing them, building lasting relationships with customers by providing outstanding service, and being out on the road seeing different places every day. He loves the feeling of satisfaction he receives from customers who show their appreciation of his work and the role he plays in keeping them up and running.

Ben Mummery, AFGRI Equipment, Albany, Western Australia

Despite having extensive experience diagnosing and repairing logging trucks and mining machinery, Ben Mummery didn't think his abilities and skills were of a high enough standard to be a John Deere technician – until he started as a Construction and Forestry Technician with AFGRI Equipment in Albany, Western Australia.

Ben has now been working on John Deere equipment for more than three-and-a-half years and said he hasn't looked back since starting what he calls the 'best job of his life'. The returning finalist from the 2022 Technician of the Year Awards appreciates the support and resources that have made him the technician he is today. He thoroughly enjoys the challenge of finding solutions to diagnose difficult faults and getting the customer back up and running.

Johannes Viljoen, AFGRI Equipment, Busselton, Western Australia

For Johannes Viljoen, being a John Deere technician is not just about fixing machines, but "understanding and interpreting the language of engines and mechanical systems". It's a language he's been learning since childhood, when he would often take appliances apart just to see how they functioned inside. He always knew he would pursue a hands-on career, spending weekends and school holidays with his father working on various machinery, before starting an apprenticeship on trucks and moving into underground mining equipment.

A lifelong admiration of John Deere machinery sparked his move to Australia, after he took up a role at AFGRI Equipment in Busselton on the southwest tip of Western Australia. Johannes said the opportunity to work on different types of machines and tackle new problems each day motivates him to continue pursuing this career path. He also enjoys building fulfilling relationships with their customers by repairing their equipment in a timely and cost-effective manner, and said being a John Deere technician offers endless opportunities for learning given how the industry is continually evolving with new technologies and innovations. He encourages anyone presented with an opportunity to work in a dealership to "seize it with both hands".

SERVICE APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR

Owen Armstrong, Hutcheon & Pearce, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales

Growing up on a mixed farming operation taught Owen Armstrong valuable lessons he still uses to this day. From playing with John Deere toys to helping around the farm, restoring old cars and even learning to drive his first tractor (a John Deere 6930), his love of agriculture and machinery was fostered early. Owen's path to a career with John Deere began when he was accepted into the 'Top Gun' apprentice program at Hutcheon and Pearce in Wagga Wagga, which was recommended to him by his neighbour.

Now a third-year apprentice, Owen has acquired extensive knowledge of the equipment and customers he serves, and enjoys travelling the countryside meeting farmers. One of his most interesting experiences was working on and repairing a John Deree 9410R that had been struck by lightning during the peak harvest period. Owen is a firm believer that Australia's agriculture industry is vital for the economy, food security, environmental sustainability, rural development and innovation.

Daniel Barnes, RDO Equipment, Beaudesert, Queensland

Working on dairy farms around the world for 15 years gave Daniel Barnes firsthand knowledge of different farming equipment and technology, which he used to help drastically increase milk production as a team leader at Australia's largest camel dairy. His interest in diagnosing and repairing machines sparked a career change to the RDO Equipment John Deere dealership in Beaudesert, where he is now in the third year of his apprenticeship. Daniel had extensive experience using equipment before joining RDO, particularly from his work in Germany, and said John Deere was always his favourite brand of machinery to use while farming.

Daniel's previous career has given him a deep understanding of the needs of customers, and he knows how important it is for their equipment to operate in a safe and efficient manner to help avoid downtime. He said helping customers also enables him to continue to grow as a technician and as a person, and is grateful for the team at RDO Beaudesert for creating such an enjoyable and collaborative environment. Daniel encouraged others thinking of becoming a technician to "hook in" and give it a go, and to utilise John Deere's extensive learning platform and support system."

Sam Dyer, Emmetts, Pinnaroo, South Australia

Sam Dyer's interest in agriculture was fostered during his upbringing in Lameroo, a small town in the Murray Mallee region of South Australia, where he drove tractors and worked with livestock on different farms.

During high school, he began a school-based fitter and turner apprenticeship, which led to full-time employment in the industry until he was 25. Working on agricultural equipment inspired him to make the switch to a mechanical trade with the Emmetts John Deere dealership in Pinnaroo, 40 kilometres from home. The second-year service apprentice enjoys the wide variety of jobs he undertakes in the workshop and out in the field supporting the region's many farmers and keeping them productive. In his spare time, he uses his mechanical, fabrication and machinery skills to repair and restore motorcycles and utes.

Josh Kramer, Emmetts, Roseworthy, South Australia

As a small boy, Josh Kramer would take his toys apart just to see how they worked. At the time, he wasn't very good at reassembling them but soon went from tinkering with his first car to diagnosing, repairing and improving vehicles. This experience combined with his favourite school subject, agriculture, made a job with John Deere the perfect fit. In 2020, Josh started an apprenticeship at Emmetts Roseworthy, in South Australia.

Now a fourth-year Service Apprentice, Josh gets a great feeling of accomplishment from telling his customers their machine is fixed and ready to work. During the 2023 harvest, a few of Emmetts' regular technicians were busy supporting customers and working on combine harvesters, so Josh stepped up into a Field Service role with very little experience of working on his own. He was proud to keep the fleet of tractors running throughout the busy harvest period, allowing customers to continue operating.

This is Josh's second time as a regional finalist for Service Apprentice of the Year, and he's very excited to be nominated again. Josh said he would 100% recommend working as a service technician – being able to learn real life skills in a job you enjoy makes it "something you want to do, rather than just a job".

Nick Lattanzio, Emmetts, Horsham, Victoria

Nick Lattanzio grew up with an appreciation for agricultural machinery, spending hours tinkering with farm equipment on his family property. Based in the Wimmera region and wheatbelt country of western Victoria, Nick worked during harvest season driving tractors with chaser bins and combine harvesters for different farmers before commencing a diesel mechanical apprenticeship with the Emmetts John Deere dealership in Horsham.

Now in the fourth and final year of his training, Nick enjoys learning about John Deere's new technology and product developments, and finds great satisfaction in helping his customers continue operating as quickly and efficiently as possible. He has gained invaluable experience on a vast range of machines, particularly the X9 Combine Harvester, which he shares with customers and fellow technicians.

Outside of work, Nick enjoys helping out friends and family throughout harvest, using John Deere's newest technology to gain a deeper understanding of customer-level operation.

PARTS APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR

Belinda Gade, Emmetts, Renmark, South Australia

When Belinda Gade began a course in automotive servicing, it wasn't agricultural equipment on her mind, it was her glittery, hot-pink motorcycle with pink personalised plates. After embarking on the training purely so she could service her pride and joy out on the road, she found a new love which changed the course of her career.

Belinda had previously worked in hospitality and retail management, however a job listing appeared at just the right time for a parts apprenticeship with the Emmetts Renmark John Deere dealership in South Australia's rural Riverland area. She grabbed the opportunity and is now close to finishing her second year – she's also a two-time finalist in the John Deere Technician of the Year Awards.

While Belinda enjoys supplying parts, she said it's the people who make the job so rewarding, whether it's customers, colleagues or the wider John Deere network. She said being a technician has facilitated more experiences and opportunities than any other role in her career, including travelling to various places within Australia such as Brisbane, Melbourne, Horsham, Murray Bridge, and even helping another branch at the Adelaide Show. She said these events have made her a better Parts Technician because of the contacts she's made and the confidence it has given her.

Matthew Giuntini, RDO Equipment, Eastern Creek, New South Wales

In only the second year of his apprenticeship, Matthew Giuntini is proud to be a finalist in the Parts Apprentice of the Year category for the second year in a row. After beginning his career in retail at automotive stores, his interest in the construction and earthmoving industry led him to join RDO Equipment in Eastern Creek, Sydney, in 2020, before starting his apprenticeship there three years later.

Matthew enjoys the variety of John Deere machinery he works with, from excavators and skid steers to large graders, dozers and dump trucks, and said this equips him with valuable knowledge to support his customers and their businesses. He said working with the team at RDO is rewarding and that their collaborative approach helps keep customers up and running.

Hannah Goedhart-Hutchings, AFGRI Equipment, Merredin, Western Australia

Being a finalist in the John Deere Technician of the Year Awards has come much sooner than Hannah Goedhart-Hutchings could have expected. Just nine months into her parts apprenticeship at AFGRI Equipment in Merredin, in Western Australia's Central Wheatbelt region, she says the amazing support of her colleagues and customers encouraged her to submit her the nomination.

Hannah completed a harvest on a broadacre farm after finishing her schooling years at an agricultural college, cementing her desire to pursue a career in the industry. She was working in administration support for a local mechanic when the opportunity at AFGRI Equipment arose, which she pursued and "hasn't looked back". Hannah values the learning and career growth opportunities available with John Deere dealerships. She enjoys the process of seeing a machine enter the workshop, learning exactly what needs to be repaired or maintained, helping the technicians, and the satisfaction of seeing the machine return to the customer.

Tracy Hogan, RDO Equipment, Emerald, Queensland

Until 18 months ago, Tracy Hogan had never been close to farm machinery, however she's covered a lot of ground in the first year of her apprenticeship at the RDO Equipment John Deere dealership in Emerald and is a now an emerging leader in her field.

Tracy's previous role working in parts and service operations in the aviation industry took her to rural locations where she developed a deep appreciation for agriculture from hearing the stories of farmers whose planes she helped service.

After relocating to Emerald from Mount Isa, the potential for a career change filled with fresh challenges prompted Tracy to join RDO Equipment, where she is now thriving and enjoying learning something new every day. Tracy said the key to success is asking questions, regardless of your experience in the industry, and with enough hard work and determination, no goal is out of reach.

Wyatt Sciacca, Honeycombes, Innisfail, Queensland

Wyatt Sciacca's enthusiasm for agriculture and turf started early, with both of his grandfathers nurturing his curiosity for machinery. His paternal grandfather would take him to the local Council depot where he worked as a diesel mechanic to show him how the machinery worked, while his maternal grandfather taught him how to fix a mower and decipher a parts manual. Joining the Australian Air Force Cadets at 13 taught Wyatt the values of teamwork, loyalty and self-discipline, all of which he could apply in 2022 when he landed a job with Honeycombes Innisfail.

Wyatt is in the final year of a Certificate III in Supply Chain Operations, and he's proud of how much he's learned in a short time. His skill in researching parts and correctly identifying diagrams using serial numbers has led to him being asked to train new staff.

An idol of Wyatt's is Mr Miyagi from the Karate Kid series, who said, 'There is no such thing as a bad student, only a bad teacher'. Wyatt says he feels fortunate to have been taught by some fantastic teachers at Honeycombes and John Deere. As a result, this is a job he wants to do "for a long time".

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:

Kate Scott
kate.scott@bluehillpr.com.au
0438 389 092

Tim Vetter
tim.vetter@bluehillpr.com.au
0439 681 793

Images of all finalists are available in Dropbox using this link