A total of 30 regional finalists have been named in five award categories, including Agriculture & Turf Service Technician of the Year, Construction & Forestry Service Technician of the Year, Parts Technician of the Year, Service Apprentice of the Year and Parts Apprentice of the Year.

Launched in 2021, the Awards celebrate technical excellence and customer connection, while showing the rewarding career opportunities available within the John Deere dealer network.

Judges described competition across all categories as some of the strongest seen since the inception of the program, with finalists representing a mix of emerging talent and experienced professionals from dealerships across Australia and New Zealand.

While united by a passion for supporting customers, their lives outside the workshop are equally impressive, with elite musicians, ironman triathlon competitors, volunteer firefighters and motorsport enthusiasts within this year’s finalist group.

John Deere Australia and New Zealand Managing Director, Luke Chandler, said the exceptional quality of this year’s finalists reflected the commitment dealers continue to make in developing highly skilled professionals who support customers every day.

“What stood out this year was not only the technical expertise on display, but the clear connection between that expertise and the results being delivered to customers when it matters most,” Mr Chandler said.

“Whether it’s helping a farmer complete harvest, keeping construction equipment operating on a major project, preparing elite sports turf or supporting local councils and contractors, our technicians play a critical role in helping customers minimise downtime and maximise productivity.

“However, behind every great technician is a dealership that has invested in training, mentoring and professional development. These awards recognise individual excellence, but they also highlight the strength of our dealer network and its commitment to building the skilled workforce our industries need for the future.”

This year’s judging panel noted exceptionally close competition in multiple categories, with many submissions supported by customer testimonials highlighting the important role technicians play in helping them overcome challenges, improve productivity and get the most from their equipment.

John Deere Director of Aftermarket and Customer Support, Steph Gersekowski, said the stories behind this year’s submissions were incredibly powerful, demonstrating the real-world impact technicians have on customers and the communities they serve.

“We saw examples of technicians going above and beyond to support customers, often in critical situations, where keeping equipment operating had a direct impact on a customer’s business,” Ms Gersekowski said.

“Those outcomes don’t happen by chance. They are the result of dealerships creating environments where people can develop their skills, embrace new technologies and build long-term careers.”

The regional finalists will now progress to the next stage of the competition, with winners to be announced at the John Deere Technician of the Years Awards gala event on Thursday, 3 September 2026.

2026 JOHN DEERE TECHNICIAN OF THE YEAR AWARDS AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND FINALISTS

Construction & Forestry Service Technician of the Year finalists

• Cameron Wood, RDO Equipment, Mount Louisa, Queensland

Service Apprentice of the Year finalists

• Jayden Silvester, RDO Equipment, Emerald, Queensland 

Parts Apprentice of the Year finalists

• Lauren Lester, RDO Equipment, Toowoomba, Queensland

BIOGRAPHIES – AGRICULTURE & TURF SERVICE TECHNICIAN OF THE YEAR

Cameron Wood, RDO Equipment, Mount Louisa, Queensland

Before Cameron Wood knew he wanted to work on machines, he already had a thorough understanding of how to use them.

Growing up in Charters Towers, Cameron was surrounded by machinery from a young age. His father worked as a machine operator and truck driver, and Cameron would often be around the machines, helping grease them whenever he had the chance.

That early curiosity led Cameron into a career as a diesel fitter. He began his apprenticeship with in 2008 and has now spent almost 17 years in the industry, including the past four years with RDO Equipment.

“When I was older, I started thinking about what else was involved with these machines,” Cameron said.

As a Service Technician, he now covers a large area across North Queensland, travelling from Cardwell to Cairns, Mareeba to Cooktown and further west to support customers in the field.

Cameron’s work ethic, customer focus and problem-solving skills are a stand-out, with customers now requesting him by name.

Jayden Silvester, RDO Equipment, Emerald, Queensland

Third-year apprentice Jayden Silvester is well on the way to achieving two key goals – completing his trade and earning his pilot’s license.

Jayden has already experienced flying in the Cessna 182 owned by his employer, RDO Equipment in Emerald, Queensland, where their furthest customer is Canobie Station, a three-hour flight north compared with a 14-hour drive.

“I’d like to be part of the team that flies out to remote John Deere customers to deliver parts, provide technical assistance, and support clients and technicians in the field,” Jayden said.

He inherited his passion for aviation from his mother, who completed her commercial helicopter pilot’s license early in his childhood while living on their cattle property in Central Queensland.

Remarkably, Jayden had not been around John Deere equipment until completing work experience; however, he had had developed a strong understanding of machine operation, identification, and modern farming practices through virtual farming simulation technology.

As a boarding school student in Rockhampton, Jayden would travel three and a half hours by bus from Rockhampton to Emerald each week to work at RDO on Fridays and weekends, before returning to school on the 5:30am Monday bus – a testament to his dedication and work ethic.

Although only in the third year of his apprenticeship, Jayden has already distinguished himself with a record of zero rework, reflecting his technical aptitude and workmanship.

Jayden believes agriculture offers “incredible opportunities” for those who are passionate about the industry and prepared to put in the effort.