NEWS RELEASE July 14, 2022
New Zealand John Deere Technician finalists Announced
Crestmead, Queensland (11 July, 2022) – A PREVIOUS champion looking to clinch a back-to-back win and a trained scientist are the contenders in the Agriculture Service Technician category of the second annual John Deere Technician Awards.
The talented technicians rose to the top of a competitive field of more than 100 award nominations from across both Australia and New Zealand. They will now progress to the second round of judging where their hands-on skills and technical expertise for providing remote backup support will be tested.
John Deere Australia and New Zealand Managing Director, Luke Chandler, congratulated Bryce Dickson, from Brandt, Whangārei, and Greg Bishop, from Southland Farm Machinery, Mosgiel, on being named finalists.
"Technicians deliver services integral to the agriculture industry by not only providing vital backup support and remote diagnostics, but by empowering operators to get the most out of their machinery and technology," Mr Chandler said.
"New Zealand is fortunate to have an enormous pool of talented technicians working across the country, so these finalists deserve to be very proud for being named among the best in their field."
Mr Chandler also offered his congratulations to the three New Zealand Parts Technician finalists: Ben McShane, AGrowQuip NZ, Cambridge; Megan Tree, Southland Farm Machinery, Gore; and, Megan Foster, Southland Farm Machinery, Mosgiel.
"Parts technicians play an integral role in ensuring the agriculture, forestry and construction industries have a rapid flow of parts and equipment to their machines," Mr Chandler said.
"Technicians working in the parts department have an intimate knowledge of machinery and are often a farmer or operator's first port of call when seeking new parts."
The John Deere Technician Awards were established in 2021 to recognise the hard work and expertise technicians provide to farmers across New Zealand and Australia, and their drive to support operators and businesses to be their most efficient, productive and profitable.
In total, more than 100 nominations from across New Zealand and Australia were received for this year’s award program, with finalists competing in six different categories, including Agriculture Service Technician of the Year, Construction & Forestry Service Technician of the Year, Turf Service Technician of the Year, Service Apprentice of the Year, Parts Technician of the Year and Parts Apprentice of the Year.
The award winners will be announced at a special gala event on 5 August Brisbane, Queensland.
NEW ZEALAND JOHN DEERE AGRICULTURE SERVICE TECHNICIAN OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
Bryce Dickson, Brandt, Whangārei, North Island
Whangārei Master Technician Bryce Dickson's selection as a finalist follows his successful run at the inaugural John Deere Technician Awards in 2021 where he was named New Zealand Ag Service Technician of the Year. Bryce has become a Precision Agriculture champion, not only playing a leading role in helping farmers adopt the technology, but also equipping his technician peers in best practice. Since 2020, Bryce has hosted several in-house training sessions across the Brandt dealership network which helped inform and empower other technicians on the best methods of supporting farmers along their Precision Agriculture journeys.
Bryce said the most rewarding part of his job was knowing he was having a positive impact on farmers' businesses. A proud father of two girls, Bryce has also enjoyed watching his family grow in the beautiful Whangārei region.
Greg Bishop, Southland Farm Machinery, South Island
John Deere Agriculture Service Technician, Greg Bishop, brings a depth of experience to every job, given the dual-qualified tradesman also has a Bachelor of Science, double majoring in genetics and plant biotechnology. After spending years working in management positions within the dairy sector, he switched careers and became a Field Service Technician at his local John Deere dealership three years ago.
Since then, Greg has also completed an auto-electrical trade, which he anticipates will bring great value to the farmers he serves given John Deere’s announcement that it will launch a range of sustainable electric tractors in New Zealand in 2026. Greg feels incredibly proud to work within the agriculture sector saying "it’s the backbone of the New Zealand economy".
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Greg Bishop, Southland Farm Machinery, Mosgiel, South Island
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Bryce Dickson, Brandt, Whangārei, North Island
NEW ZEALAND JOHN DEERE PARTS TECHNICIAN OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
Ben McShane, AGrowQuip NZ, Cambridge
Across a span of more than five years, Parts Technician Ben McShane has developed the kind of depth and breadth of knowledge across the John Deere product range that has allowed him to become a trusted advisor to customers. Not only is his understanding of modern parts and services second-to-none, Ben also has an appreciable knowledge of older models too, which has helped him cement his reputation.
Ben is a firm believer the smooth delivery of parts, from dealerships to machinery in the field, plays a vital role in driving the agriculture industry, which in turn propels the New Zealand economy. Ben's passion for John Deere machinery is now a penchant he shares with his young son.
Megan Tree, Southland Farm Machinery, Gore
Megan Tree already has deep roots within the agriculture industry, having grown up on a sheep and racehorse farm and recently marrying a stock agent. But her first career was as a veterinary nurse, working in vet clinics for three years before deciding on a career shift that brought her back to agriculture. While she loved working with farmers, she had little knowledge of heavy agriculture machinery, so she dove into the industry with a thirst to learn more.
Today, Megan’s knowledge of the John Deere product is unrivalled at her dealership, and she has used her outstanding organisation and communication skills to build trust from farming customers. Megan said one of her greatest achievements was taking on a large new client for the dealership and successfully managing the account.
Megan Foster, Southland Farm Machinery, Mosgiel
Parts Technician Megan Foster has wasted no time progressing her career at Southland Farm Machinery, Mosgiel, where she has climbed the ranks to become the John Deere dealership’s Parts Manager. Although Megan previously had no background working in agriculture, she always felt passionately about the industry, given it contributes to the livelihoods of tens of thousands of New Zealanders and provides essential items like meat and dairy products to many more. Megan was well supported during her training and has developed a thorough understanding of the John Deere equipment.
With a background in customer service, Megan has exceptional communication skills and is renowned for a cool, calm nature when faced with difficult or complex challenges.
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Megan Foster, Southland Farm Machinery, Mosgiel
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Megan Tree, Southland Farm Machinery, Gore
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Ben McShane, AGrowQuip NZ, Cambridge
LIST OF NEW ZEALAND FINALISTS:
Agriculture Service Technician of the Year Finalists
(will compete for New Zealand only Award)
- Bryce Dickson, Brandt, Whangārei, North Island
- Greg Bishop, Southland Farm Machinery, Mosgiel, South Island
Construction & Forestry Service Technician of the Year Finalists
(will compete against four Australian technicians for a combined New Zealand/Australian Award)
- Stephan Ebert, AGrowQuip NZ, Hastings, North Island
- Nick Fargher, AGrowQuip NZ, Hastings, North Island
Turf Service Technician of the Year Finalist
(will compete against four Australian technicians for a combined New Zealand/Australian Award)
- Hayden Pollard, Brandt, Whangārei, North Island
Service Apprentice of the Year Finalist
(will compete against four Australian apprentices for a combined New Zealand/Australian Award)
- Joshua Alexander, Brandt, Whangārei, North Island
- Logan Robertson, Southland Farm Machinery, Invercargill, South Island
Parts Technician of the Year Finalist
(will compete for New Zealand only Award)
- Ben McShane, AGrowQuip NZ, Cambridge, North Island
- Megan Tree, Southland Farm Machinery, Gore, South Island
- Megan Foster, Southland Farm Machinery, Mosgiel, South Island
Parts Apprentice of the Year Finalist
(will compete against four Australian apprentices for a combined New Zealand/Australian Award)
- Deena Martin, Drummond & Etheridge, Ashburton, South Island
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 New Zealand at JohnDeere.co.nz.
Media Enquiries:
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stacey.wordsworth@bluehillpr.com.au
0438 394 371
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