Meet our 2026 Regional Finalists who are progressing through to the final stages of the Technician Awards program.
2026 Technician Awards Regional Finalists
Ag Service Technician of the Year Finalists
Luke Gray, Emmetts Kadina, South Australia
At two metres tall, Luke Gray looked destined for a career in basketball.
The 23-year-old Emmetts Kadina Service Technician represented Victoria and South Australia, played against future NBA star Josh Giddey and was introduced to the sport through the family of NBA champion Matthew Dellavedova.
But it is endurance sport that has come to define Luke's approach to life and work.
Today, Luke is a finalist in the Service Technician category of the John Deere Technician of the Year Awards, despite entering his apprenticeship with no mechanical background whatsoever.
"I started from absolutely zero," Luke said.
"I didn't even know what an oil filter was. I'd never even touched a spanner.
"You don't have to have a background in something to get started. If an opportunity is there, dedicate yourself to it, surround yourself with the right people and be consistent."
Unlike many people entering the agricultural machinery industry, Luke wasn't raised around farming. Instead, he was attracted by the technical challenge and the opportunity to learn. Just six months after becoming qualified, he has earned recognition for his skills, work ethic and commitment to customers.
Away from work, Luke is an avid triathlete who recently competed in his first full Ironman after years of training and multiple half-Ironman events.
"A lot of the stuff from extreme endurance sports translates into your life," he said.
"It's just pure dedication to something. It's about persevering and looking a bit further past what the instant moment is. You need to look ahead and keep going."
No matter the endeavour, Luke's approach has remained the same: think long term, stay consistent and keep moving forward.
Mark Cullen, Honeycombes Ayr, Queensland
As a child growing up on the Murray River, Mark Cullen remembers taking trips with his truck-driving Dad, helping him to tie down loads and later, do general servicing and repairs.
Mark chose a career as a Service Technician because he wanted a hands-on job with daily problem solving. Over time, that interest has grown into a passion for agricultural machinery and supporting customers who rely on it to do their jobs.
These days Mark is based in Home Hill, and describes himself as a typical North Queenslander, who loves boating and fishing.
Mark's diagnostic ability is excellent, backed by years of experience, and he always remains calm under pressure which helps him to achieve the right outcome, first time.
Over the past six years Mark has gravitated towards bigger machinery and his favourite is the giant John Deere 9R Series, designed for large-scale farming and earthmoving.
Mark is also a strong team contributor, sharing his knowledge across the workshop and acting as a backup Technical Communicator.
Mark enjoys the workplace culture at Honeycombes, where he says good teamwork and social connections builds trust, keeps everyone aligned, and ultimately delivers better support for customers.
Brady Gunter, Hutcheon & Pearce Wagga Wagga, New South Wales
With three trades to his name and a year spent working as a jackaroo, Brady Gunter brings the skillset of a true all-rounder to his role as a Service Technician at Hutcheon & Pearce.
Brady grew up in Port Macquarie, NSW, and began his career as a mobile plant technician, completing a Certificate III in Mobile Plant Technology. However, in 2020 an opportunity drew him west and Brady swapped the workshop for the yards at "Toms Lake", a 120-year-old Merino sheep property in the NSW Riverina.
"Working on farm gave me a better understanding of the pressure farmers are under, especially when the windows are short and there's a lot to get done," Brady said.
With that perspective behind him, Brady joined Hutcheon & Pearce in Finley and later transferred to Wagga Wagga in 2022, where he now works and continues to build his career as a John Deere Service Technician.
Since moving into agriculture, Brady has added a Certificate III in Agricultural Mechanical Technology and a Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology, making him a triple qualified tradesman. He has also achieved Master Technician status, reflecting his appetite for growing his capability on complex machinery.
Brady's broad experience and steady approach have made him a trusted presence in the workshop, particularly when diagnostics are not straightforward.
Nominated in 2024, Brady returns to the awards with more confidence this year and hopes to mentor younger technicians.
Luke Hynam, Haeusler's Mildura, South Australia
The world of V8 Supercars and Bathurst might seem a long way from the paddocks of western Victoria, but for Haeusler's Service Technician, Luke Hynam, the two worlds have more in common than most people realise.
Before joining Haeusler's, Luke spent a year working with Tickford Racing, helping prepare some of Australia's fastest race cars. While the experience was unforgettable, the bright lights of Melbourne couldn't compete with the pull of home.
Raised on a broadacre cropping farm at Patchewollock, Luke grew up around machinery and agriculture. Returning to the industry felt like a natural fit, and he joined Haeusler's as an apprentice before progressing to become a fully qualified Service Technician.
Today, one of the most rewarding parts of his role is helping customers and mentoring younger apprentices.
"I'm teaching more than being taught now," Luke said.
"I find it really rewarding helping younger apprentices and working with customers to get the most out of their machines.
Luke has developed a passion for John Deere's spraying technology and is excited by the rapid pace of innovation transforming agriculture.
"You're not really a mechanic anymore; that's why they call us technicians. The technology side is separating us from a lot of other jobs."
Luke's product knowledge, particularly of self-propelled sprayers, coupled with his outstanding electrical diagnostic skills, consistently allow him to optimise equipment performance. He is well known within the industry and demonstrates leadership well beyond his age.
Henry Barkley, Haeusler's Mildura, South Australia
Henry Barkley knew from a young age his future lay in agriculture, but it wasn't until he completed work experience during high school that he knew exactly where he wanted to build his career.
After spending his younger years by his grandfather's side on the family farm in South Australia, surrounded by John Deere equipment and learning how the machinery worked, an opportunity to spend some time at his local John Deere dealership opened his eyes to the company and its innovations.
Inspired by the experience and keen to spend his days working on the equipment, Henry took up a school-based apprenticeship.
Six years on, Henry is still as enthusiastic about the John Deere brand as he was during his childhood, and has established himself as a Service Technician with 'exceptional' skills and capabilities.
Henry said he understands there are "many different aspects that need to come together for things to go right in farming", and he finds great satisfaction in being part of the equation that helps farmers succeed.
Despite being a combine specialist, Henry's versatility allows him to service and repair all John Deere equipment, and customers frequently request he be assigned to their jobs.
Robb Burrows, Emmetts Murray Bridge, South Australia
In the near two decades since Robb Burrows began his apprenticeship, he's seen the industry move from mechanical repairs to advanced diagnostics, connected machines and remote support.
His interest in machinery started on the family farm outside Christchurch, New Zealand, where he spent plenty of time around machinery.
"Hay season was always a highlight, especially when contractors arrived with shiny new John Deere tractors," Robb recalled.
That early fascination led him to an apprenticeship with his local John Deere dealership in Christchurch in 2007. Since then, Robb's career has taken him through dealership roles, overseas farm work and hands-on machinery operation, giving him a practical understanding of how John Deere equipment performs in the paddock, not just in the workshop.
Now a Regional Master Technician with Emmetts, Robb supports complex diagnostic work across the group and enjoys getting out in the field to work with customers. He has been with Emmetts for almost 10 years and has progressed through roles including Service Technician and Service Manager.
"The most satisfying part is getting a machine running for a customer and watching it get back to work," Robb said.
Robb's leadership and guidance to apprentices and fellow technicians is outstanding. He is a highly skilled and respected technician whose communication, professionalism and commitment to customers set him apart.
After reaching the finals last year, Robb said he is proud to be nominated again and returns with a better understanding of what to expect.
James Doherty, Drummond & Etheridge Rolleston, South Island New Zealand
A farm kid from the South Island of New Zealand, James grew up in John Deere tractors and it was obvious to those in his orbit where he should build his career.
After completing work experience with his local John Deere dealership, Drummond & Etheridge, his path was set.
Today, the 26-year-old is a qualified Service Technician, known for his 'exceptional product knowledge' and 'outstanding attitude'.
In his role as Field Technician, James is dedicated to not only servicing or repairing the machine in front of him, but also getting to know the farmer and helping them optimise their equipment.
This dedication to service sees customers frequently requesting James specifically to work on their machines.
Much like the model John Deere collection that's still going strong from his childhood, James' fascination with how the machines work remains unchanged. While he no longer spends his weekends driving tractors in a bid to learn more about how they're used on-farm, James remains committed to expanding his knowledge of John Deere's extensive range, and is particularly proud of having the opportunity to work with test parts and at the forefront of the brand's latest developments.
Asked whether he has a favourite John Deere machine, James said he's particularly keen on the 8R Tractors and X9 series Combine Harvesters, but it's the machine he has at home that will always have his heart: "I have to stick to my guns and say my old 2850 (utility tractor) wins."
Thomas Fyfe, Brandt Rotorua, North Island New Zealand
Originally from Pukekohe on New Zealand's North Island, where the landscape is dominated by horticulture crops and agriculture is the largest industry in the district, it was by default that Tom Fyfe ended up in a role based around supporting the sector.
After more than 15 years as a parts manager, Tom's desire to continue expanding his skills saw him take on an adult apprenticeship.
Today, he's a qualified Service Technician, who 'tries to learn something new every day'.
Despite not working in a customer-facing role, Tom is committed to making each customer's experience as positive as possible by holding himself and his work to an extremely high standard.
He also takes pride in cultivating a positive environment for those around him, believing 'we need everybody in the dealership to be winning to be successful'.
"During my apprenticeship, I took it upon myself to help the other apprentices get through their qualifications alongside me," Tom said.
"I felt great satisfaction in keeping them inspired and making the learning experience a shared one.
"Our coworkers are our greatest resource, and I still leverage the group's experience to expand my own knowledge."
Tom has shown an outstanding work ethic, ability to perform tasks to a high standard and knowledge of training, and has honed his skills to become a valued member of the Brandt team.