When she left school, Ashley Ralph had her sights set on a career as a lawyer, but an innate desire to understand how machines work and the opportunity to complete certificates in automotive and engineering set her firmly on a different path.
Today the 2026 Australian John Deere Parts Technician of the Year is a fully qualified diesel mechanic, a seven-year journey that has taught her resilience, adaptability and confidence amongst the challenging environment of servicing heavy machinery.
As Parts Person with Brandt in Rocherlea, Ashley loves two key aspects of her job: growing relationships with customers and doing her bit to ensure their success; and getting a behind-the-scenes peek into the parts that go into making equipment work.
Brandt Rocherlea Branch Manager, Clinton Dean, described Ashley as a dedicated, committed and energetic Parts Person, whose contribution to the dealership has been consistently exceptional.
"Her strong technical capability, problem-solving mindset and ability to think outside the box have made Ashley an invaluable member of our small and tightknit Launceston team," Clinton said.
"What sets Ashley apart is her calm professionalism and willingness to support others. She is a hard worker who often guides junior technicians and shares her knowledge without hesitation, and she demonstrates those key John Deere characteristics of reliability, customer focus, and commitment to continuous improvement."
Ashley's enthusiasm for John Deere equipment was clearly evident when asked whether there was a machine or part in construction and forestry that she found particularly intriguing.
"I have two favourites, the skidder and the harvester, which work hand-in-hand. They're awesome to see at work," Ashley said.
"On the construction side, graders are pretty cool, and the work they can do with John Deere technology now is insane."
Making her work even more interesting is navigating unpredictable schedules, particularly in the forestry industry, and organising the delivery of parts through Bass Strait to the Apple Isle.
"In Tasmania, another of our challenges is the amount of older machinery still operating which often lacks system support," Ashley said.
"To identify the right parts, we need to gather accurate information via calls, photos, messages and site visits, and this work has sharpened my problem solving, communication and analytical skills.
"This role continues to push me to grow within an industry I'm proud to be part of."