Five outstanding Australian technicians have taken home trophies at the fifth annual John Deere Technician of the Year Awards, announced at a gala dinner in Brisbane last week.
From a technician who started their career in Romania, to one now working in Roma, the winners demonstrated an outstanding excellence over two days of rigorous testing at John Deere’s headquarters at Crestmead, south of Brisbane.
This year’s successful technicians also included a major first, with New Zealand’s Bryce Dickson becoming the first person to take home a trophy in three separate years.
John Deere Australia and New Zealand Managing Director, Luke Chandler, said the awards recognised the technicians’ skills and their vital contribution in the industries they serve.
|
“Congratulations to all our Australian winners, who have shown exceptional technical knowledge, customer focus and ability to solve problems under pressure. They are the people who keep our customers moving every day and it’s fantastic to see their talent and hard work acknowledged,” he said.
“I also want to recognise every finalist who competed this week. The finals process is rigorous and designed to test even the most experienced technicians.
“To reach the finals is a huge achievement and speaks volumes about the capability and commitment of each participant.”
Luke said this year’s finalists represent the next generation of service excellence in agriculture, construction and forestry.
“Their professionalism and problem-solving ability ensure farmers, contractors and businesses can achieve more with their equipment,” he said.
“I would also like to extend my congratulations to Bryce Dickson, from Brandt, Whangārei, New Zealand, for taking home the New Zealand Agriculture and Turf Service Technician of the Year Award for the third time.
“Bryce is committed to being the best in his field by consistently challenging himself and continuing to grow his technical expertise in John Deere’s suite of precision ag technology and equipment.”
• John Deere Australian Agriculture and Turf Service Technician of the Year:
Daniel Popovici, AFGRI Equipment, Albany, Western Australia
Starting his career with a John Deere dealership in Romania more than ten years ago, Daniel grew up around machinery and was exposed to engines, tools, and the process of diagnosing and fixing machines, which made him curious about understanding how things work and ignited his passion for modern machinery and technology.
Now working for the AFGRI Equipment dealership in Albany, Western Australia, Daniel’s positive attitude to his role and his commitment to advancing his technical skills has resulted in him taking out the award.
Daniel’s win is not only going to be celebrated here in Australia, but also in Romania where both his father and brother work at the local John Deere dealership. Their shared passion for the brand and the industry motivates Daniel to continually improve his skills and uphold the high standards valued by his family.
• John Deere Australian and New Zealand Parts Technician of the Year
Poppy Blohm, AFGRI Equipment, Narrogin, Western Australia
From winning the Parts Apprentice of the Year Award in 2023, Poppy Blohm’s career has not only progressed, but flourished, with her strong work ethic and exceptional customer service skills seeing her judged the 2025 John Deere Australian and New Zealand Parts Technician of the Year.
While Poppy is no stranger to the spotlight, she said she was very happy and surprised to hear her name called out during the Awards ceremony.
Her path to being a technician was not a typical one for the Perth native, who had no exposure to farm machinery until going to Ag school in Harvey, WA, before working at the local grain handling facility. When a job beckoned at AFGRI Equipment in Narrogin, Poppy grabbed onto it with both hands and hasn’t looked back.
Along with taking out the top honours at the John Deere Technician if the Year Awards twice, Poppy has also won a WA Regional TAFE Trainee of the Year Award demonstrating her commitment to her role and her customers. Her empathetic nature and taking the time to understand the challenges her customers face enables her to offer exemplary service.
“Farming is these people’s livelihoods, and when they’re down, they’re broken down, it affects their mood and it affects their mentality,” she said.
“As silly as it sounds, giving them a tiny little part that might get them up and running again, means a lot to them and that’s the satisfaction and biggest return.”
• John Deere Australian and New Zealand Construction and Forestry Service Technician of the Year
Damian Aspinall, RDO Equipment, Roma, Queensland
Usually, a trifecta is a good thing, until you get three ducks (and a diamond duck) at the start of your first cricket season in a new club, in a new town, and an award is created in your honour. That’s what happened to Damian Aspinall when he relocated to Roma in Western Queensland and made an immediate impression with his teammates – just not on the scoreboard.
Thankfully, he’s scored more runs since, and his career as a John Deere technician has also taken off.
Growing up in Richmond, in North West Queensland, Damian lived a life many children would envy given his proximity to large machinery. His grandfather had a small earthmoving business and when his father bought a grader when he was 12, the passion for machinery and mechanics was ignited.
He later started an apprenticeship with the local council, where he was first exposed to John Deere equipment after a 770G grader was added to the fleet.
After relocating to Roma two-and-a-half years ago and securing a role with RDO Equipment, Damian said he was excited to learn new skills on the range of John Deere construction equipment. He also paid tribute to the strength and camaraderie of his friends and colleagues in Roma.
“I just want to continue doing what I am doing and helping the apprentices come along and for them to reach their best potential,” he said.
“We’ve got three apprentices back at Roma. They’re all good young fellows and it would be a great feeling to sign them all off.”
• John Deere Australian and New Zealand Service Apprentice of the Year
Henry Barkley, Haeusler’s, Mildura, Victoria
After school holidays spent helping on his uncle’s farm near the Barossa Valley and just one week of work experience at the local John Deere dealership, Henry Barkley’s decision was cemented to pursue a career in the agriculture industry.
During a school-based apprenticeship, Henry worked at his local John Deere dealership before moving from South Australia to start a role at the Haeusler’s Mildura branch in Victoria. Four years on, his decision is now reaping benefits.
It’s been a big year for Henry, who has not only won the John Deere Service Apprentice of the Year Award, but has also moved interstate and bought his first home with his partner Jaymee Ireland, who won the John Deere Agriculture and Turf Service Technician of the Year Award in 2022.
“I’m pretty excited and honoured and feel like I’ve come along way,” Henry said.
“I’m quite blown away and proud of the journey I’ve taken.”
• John Deere Australian and New Zealand Parts Apprentice of the Year
Olivia Barsley, Hutcheon & Pearce, Cowra, New South Wales
For someone who grew up in Perth’s CBD with no direct connection to agriculture, Olivia Barsley’s interest in showing livestock was her first introduction to the agriculture industry and she hasn’t looked back.
After completing school, there were no specific university courses that interested Olivia, so she moved to New South Wales where she completed a Certificate III in Agriculture at Tocal College.
Gaining a hands-on experience on cattle stations, feedlots, and mixed farms, a determined Olivia pursued a career with John Deere dealership Hutcheon and Pearce in Cowra, NSW, and her determination has now seen her rewarded.
The same supportive team has encouraged Olivia throughout her journey and was the catalyst for her nomination in the NSW Training Awards, where she also was the 2025 Trainee of the Year for the Western Region.
Every day brings something different for Olivia, and she likes the pressure of having to get machines back up and running quickly for customers.
“The most rewarding part of my day is probably seeing that customer satisfaction,” she said.
“Seeing the customer walk through the door and leave with a smile and never knowing what’s going to come in the door.”
About the John Deere Technician of the Year Awards
Established in 2021, the prestigious awards champion the important contribution John Deere technicians make to the Australian and New Zealand agriculture, construction and forestry industries, and honour the outstanding service and support highly skilled and committed techs make to the lives and businesses of John Deere’s valued customers.