John Deere announces Technician of the Year winners in Australia and New Zealand

John Deere has announced the winners of its sixth annual Technician of the Year Awards, recognizing excellence across agriculture, turf, construction, forestry, and parts sectors in Australia and New Zealand.

Thirty finalists underwent two days of rigorous testing at the company’s Crestmead headquarters in Brisbane. The winners include Brady Gunter (Australian Agriculture & Turf Service Technician), James Doherty (New Zealand Agriculture & Turf Service Technician), Hayden Cox (Australian & New Zealand Construction & Forestry Service Technician), Ashley Ralph (Australian Parts Technician), and Aaron Game (New Zealand Parts Technician). Apprentices Kyle Burns and Lauren Lester were also recognized for their achievements.

Luke Chandler, managing director of John Deere Australia, noted that as equipment becomes more sophisticated, technicians must increasingly combine mechanical expertise with electronics, diagnostics, and advanced technology to address complex customer challenges.