HENRY Barkley has been prepared to go a long way to realise his dream of becoming a John Deere service technician.
What started as a fun time during school holidays, helping out on his uncle’s farm outside South Australia’s famed Barossa Valley quickly turned into a passion – and then a career.
His first big step to working with big ticket farm machinery came with a one-week work experience stint at the local John Deere dealership in South Australia.
And Mr Barkley was sold.
He said from that point on he knew exactly what he wanted to do with his future – work in the agriculture industry.
He had also “instantly” fallen in love with John Deere equipment, and simply could not get over how advanced it was.
“At that point I was 100 per cent locked in on becoming a service technician with that kind of machinery; that’s what I wanted to do,” Mr Barkley said.
He doesn’t mind admitting school also became slightly more appealing at that point as he launched himself into a school-based apprenticeship, which also saw him still working through his local John Deere dealership.
Then he hit the bigtime and relocated from his South Australia base to Mildura, in Victoria’s northwest, where he had been offered an opportunity at the Haeusler’s branch there.
Mr Barkley is now in the final year of his apprenticeship and has very quickly established himself as a trusted and valuable member of the team because of his work ethic and skills.
He also enjoys building trust and lasting relationships with his customers by providing exceptional service – another job skill which has also now hit paydirt, with one of those client backing his selection in the John Deere Service Apprentice of the Year Awards.
Broadacre farmer, Paul Wisneske, from Linga, said Mr Barkley showed a genuine care for his equipment and his business, and “was thrilled” to recommend him for the apprenticeship awards.
“Henry clearly, and enthusiastically, takes pride in his client relationships, and he always provides follow-up calls or checks to ensure the work has been completed to a high standard, and that we are more than satisfied with the job that has been completed,” Mr Wisneske said.
“It is a pleasure to have Henry attend any jobs for us.”
2025 has been a really big year for Mr Barkley.
He’s not only appearing for the first time as a finalist at the John Deere Technician of the Year Awards, but he has moved interstate and has also just bought his first home.
Understandably, Mr Barkley is proud of how far he has come and said he will always be thankful to the people who’ve supported him along the way – right back to his uncle having him every school holiday and introducing him to the agricultural industry.
Mr Barkley is one of 25 John Deere technicians with a place in this year’s awards.
He will join other Australian finalists in Brisbane in mid-September to undergo a final round of intense technical testing, where they will be judged individually on their ability to perform hands-on diagnostics and troubleshoot real-life scenarios and customer challenges.
John Deere Australia and New Zealand managing directorLuke Chandler said “being a technician today is all about supporting customers and the industries that keep regional Australia strong”.
“They play a crucial role that calls for digital expertise, critical thinking, and the ability to solve complex problems. All of which keeps our customers up and running, boosting their productivity, and supporting more sustainable business practices,” he said.
The award winners will be announced at the John Deere Technician of the Year Awards gala event on September 18.
