Cowra Locals Finalists In John Deere Awards

Cowra’s Nathan Murdoch and Olivia Barsley, who work in Parts and Service at Hutcheon and Pearce, have been named as finallists for this year’s John Deere Technician of the Year Awards, to be awarded at a gala dinner in September.

From a young age, Nathan Murdoch eagerly grabbed every opportunity to visit his grandparents’ farm, sparking an early interest in farming equipment. Combined with watching his father work as a mechanic, this fostered his passion for machinery and inspired him to pursue a career as a John Deere technician.

Now in his fourth year, Nathan enjoys working on a wide range of farming equipment, taking pride in diagnosing and repairing machines, meeting a diverse range of customers, and supporting them in critical times such as sowing and harvest.

Nathan’s outstanding work ethic and commitment is commendable, according to broadacre cropping customer Brad Howard, Operations Manager - Plant & Equipment at Viridis Ag. Brad said Nathan communicates clearly, sets realistic expectations, and holds himself accountable throughout the process.

“It’s clear that he takes great pride in his work, and the results speak for themselves,” Brad said.

For someone who grew up in an urban environment with no direct connection to agriculture, Olivia Barsley has thrived on the feeling that she’s playing a part in keeping farmers up and running by getting them the right parts at the right time. She recognises agriculture as “the backbone of Australia’s economy” and takes pride in supporting “the people who feed and clothe the nation”.It was Olivia’s annual attendance at the Western Australia Youth Cattle Handlers Camp over a seven-year period that introduced her to the agriculture industry and sparked her passion for farming and machinery. She completed a Cert III in Agriculture at Tocal College, where she gained hands-on experience on cattle stations, feedlots, and mixed farms. A determined Olivia then pursued a career and has just completed a traineeship in Parts Interpretation.

She says her supportive, reliable co-workers make all the difference, especially on tough days, and that strong team culture is critical to things running smoothly in the workshop.

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• Local Ecomony / Business
• Awards