Northam Ag Implements boss to retire

Graeme will soon notch his 46th year in the industry and read with interest Brenton's desire to travel and camp out under the stars.

"The only stars I want to see are five big ones on the front of resort hotels," he told Torque last week, as he revealed he has decided to retire and beat Brenton out the door.

"I am retiring on May 1," he said. .

The laconic Graeme, an avid 'Pies' supporter who will get 'smashed' by his Eagles-loving customers this week, started his career in 1973 with the then Holtfreters Engineers, working in the accounts department, while he was studying accountancy.

"The company was also a Chamberlain tractor dealer with other franchises including Toyota and Golden Fleece fuel and it also sold hardware," Graeme said.

"I worked there for 17 years in all areas of the business, including spare parts and service while being involved in payroll and accounts.

"In 1990, John Deere had taken over Chamberlain and I bought the franchise off Roy and Brian Holtfreter and went into partnership with mechanic Peter Marangon.

"We traded as Avon Tractor & Implements in the Holtfreters' yard until 2005 when we bought our existing site in Yilgarn Avenue."

In 2007, Graeme sold the dealership, which by that stage included a branch in Cunderdin, to Westonia farmer John Nicoletti and became dealer principal of Ag Implements, a position that has expanded with new dealerships in Mukinbudin, Merredin, Narembeen and Quairading.

"It has been a good ride and I've particularly liked working with family-owned businesses where you're able to talk directly with the owner," Graeme said.

"I've seen tremendous changes in agriculture and keeping up with technology is a challenge.

"I struggle to use a microwave."

Farm Weekly wishes Graeme the best of luck in a new career involving his wife Leanne, three daughters, Kaisha, Tanika and Jaslin and son Danyon, who is a twin to Jaslin.