Introducing Damian and Sidony Kelly
Tuesday, December 3, 2019
Hannaford welcomes Damian and Sidony Kelly as the new seed treatment specialists in the Berrigan, Finley, Deniliquin, Jerilderie, Corowa and Tocumwal areas.
The opportunity to return to their grassroots, develop one-on-one connections with farmers again and run their own business with franchisor support has been a hand-in-glove move for Damian and Sidony Kelly.
Hannaford welcomes Damian and Sidony Kelly as the new seed treatment specialists in the Berrigan, Finley, Deniliquin, Jerilderie, Corowa and Tocumwal areas.
The opportunity to return to their grassroots, develop one-on-one connections with farmers again and run their own business with franchisor support has been a hand-in-glove move for Damian and Sidony Kelly.
Fifth generation from a family farming operation at Euroa in North East Victoria and with strong experience as a diesel mechanic and rural contractor, Damian loves working with both machinery and farmers.
He ran a contracting business, including fertiliser spreading, spraying and hay work, through North East Victoria and southern New South Wales from the turn of the century before operating a local fertiliser supply business in recent years.
Sidony, a primary school teacher, was strongly involved in the fertiliser business and is excited to be playing a similar role with the Hannaford franchise.
The couple also previously operated a cropping and Angus cattle enterprise at Bundalong, near Yarrawonga, where they still maintain a share-farm block.
Today, they are also kept busy raising their two daughters, Emmie (6) and Myah (4).
Damian and Sidony well recognise they are taking over the Hannaford business from the highly experienced Peter and Jan Hill, and are looking forward to a smooth transition and putting their best foot forward with farmer customers. Peter chalked-up 47 years in the seed grading industry and 30 years with Hannaford.
“We look forward to working hard to service the existing business and supporting farmers,’’ Damian said.
“We’ve done some contracting business with some of the customers previously, so we’re now looking forward to getting started and building good relationships.’’
Damian said Hannaford had a strong reputation and the all-round business training they completed in Adelaide was comprehensive. The franchise provided the added benefit of excellent support, professional advice and a valuable network.
This harvest, Damian said he was looking forward to assisting farmers with any market grading requirements to help improve their grain quality, in addition to providing the seed grading and treatment services.
He encouraged farmers to take advantage of Hannaford’s free seed germination tests to confirm the viability of the seed they plan on retaining for the 2020 season.