NEWS RELEASE   August 01, 2023

Eastern Creek work colleagues compete for John Deere Construction & Forestry Award

Crestmead, Queensland (1 August, 2023) — TWO mechanics from the same workshop in New South Wales will be two of four finalists competing for the prized Construction & Forestry Technician of the Year title at the third annual John Deere Technician Awards this month.

Work colleagues Hayden Cox and Mark Muller, who both represent RDO Equipment in Eastern Creek will join New Zealand technicians, Nick Fargher and Mark Haughton, in Brisbane for the Award judging where they will undergo testing to assess their ability to solve on-site challenges and provide backup support using remote diagnostics.

The coveted title is one of seven awards across five categories that make up the annual John Deere program, with others including Service Apprentice of the Year, Parts Apprentice of the Year and individual country awards for the Agriculture & Turf Service Technician of the Year and Parts Technician of the Year.

John Deere Australia and New Zealand Managing Director, Luke Chandler, said there was a highly talented pool of technicians working across the forestry, construction and earthmoving industries and he was delighted some of the best would be recognised at the Awards.

"These industries contribute significantly to Australia's economy and are critical to local communities, and people like Hayden and Mark play an important role in keeping forestry, construction and earthmoving businesses up and running," Mr Chandler said.

"We are extremely proud of the work Hayden, Mark and their contemporaries do and are looking forward to recognising their dedication and talent at the Awards in Brisbane."

Mr Chandler also congratulated the two New Zealand finalists in the Construction & Forestry Technician of the Year Award, Nick Fargher from Brandt Feilding, North Island and the 2021 Award winner, Mark Haughton from Drummond & Etheridge Rolleston, South Island.

More than 100 nominations from 62 John Deere dealerships across Australia and New Zealand were received for the 2023 Technician of the Year Awards, established in 2021 to recognise the impact and hard work of technicians and to encourage more people to apply for roles in service and parts.

The award winners will be announced at a special gala event on Thursday 24 August.

AUSTRALIAN JOHN DEERE 2023 CONSTRUCTION & FORESTRY SERVICE TECHNICIAN OF THE YEAR FINALISTS

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

Qualified Construction and Forestry John Deere Technician, Hayden Cox, has always been captivated by machinery and as a young boy, he would often find himself pulling things apart to determine how they worked. His enthusiasm for machinery continued throughout his adolescence, completing work experience at various mechanic workshops. Pursuing his passion, Hayden started his apprenticeship after completing Year 12 and moved to RDO Equipment in his third year, where he has been working on John Deere machines since. Hayden is proud to support the construction industry – a sector he believes is a cornerstone of the Australian economy.

A high achiever, Hayden has also completed his Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology and Certificate II in Automotive Air-Conditioning. During his day-to-day work, he strives to exceed expectations and works hard to build strong relationships with customers, which has earned him an excellent reputation with both colleagues and customers. He enjoys that every day on the job is different, providing him with variety and opportunity to work on a large range of machinery.

Mark Muller, RDO Equipment, Eastern Creek, New South Wales

Mark Muller has always had an interest in mechanics and machinery, and at sixteen began his career through a forklift mechanic apprenticeship. After 15 years, he craved a challenge and almost two years ago successfully transitioned to become a John Deere Construction and Forestry Technician at RDO Equipment. Mark is proud his work provides support to the construction industry and believes the sector plays an important role in strengthening Australia's economy.

Mark is a proficient technician dedicated to driving his own professional development, through completing additional training provided through John Deere and his dealership. He is known for his exceptional customer service skills and understands that every customer requires a different approach. He takes time to precisely listen to his customers' needs and uses every tool available to ensure he provides the highest quality service.

2023 JOHN DEERE TECHNICIAN AWARD AUSTRALIAN FINALISTS

Agriculture & Turf Service Technician of the Year

(will compete for an Australian only Award)

  • Lachlan Corridan, Haeusler's, Sea Lake, Victoria
  • Francois Groenewald, Hutcheon & Pearce, Griffith, New South Wales
  • Karl Moschella, Honeycombes, Ayr, Queensland
  • David Nicol, Pringles Crouch, Crystal Brook, South Australia
  • Vincent Powditch, RDO Equipment, Taree South, New South Wales

Parts Technician of the Year

(will compete for an Australian only Award)

  • Jarred Bourke, LandHQ, Queanbeyan, New South Wales
  • Mitchell Channer, AFGRI Equipment, South Guildford, Western Australia
  • Andrew James, RDO Equipment, Richlands, Queensland
  • Sarah Lewis, Brandt, Terang, Victoria
  • Kaylyn-Rose Netrval, RDO Equipment, Taree South, New South Wales

Service Apprentice of the Year

(will compete against two New Zealand finalists for a combined Australian/New Zealand Award)

  • Salvatore Bettio, Hutcheon & Pearce, Albury North, New South Wales
  • James Clarkson, AFGRI Equipment, Gnowangerup, Western Australia
  • Darcy Miller, Honeycombes, Ayr, Queensland
  • Aaron Roberts, Brandt, Ballarat, Victoria

Parts Apprentice of the Year

(will compete against one New Zealand finalist for a combined Australian/New Zealand Award)

  • Poppy Blohm, AFGRI Equipment, Narrogin, Western Australia
  • Lauren Cortes, RDO Equipment, Dalby, Queensland
  • Belinda Gade, Emmetts, Renmark, South Australia
  • Matthew Giuntini, RDO Equipment, Eastern Creek, New South Wales
  • Kym Thorne, RDO Equipment, Toowoomba, Queensland

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 Contacts:

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

Grace Wickson
grace.wickson@bluehillpr.com.au
0432 748 837