Initiative, investment and implementation: FarmWorks Narrogin receives 2023 AgSafe Outstanding Premises Award

FarmWorks Narrogin part-owner and branch manager Ashley Wilkins and sales administrator Kym Kerr have returned to WA from Queensland with the 2023 AgSafe Outstanding Premises Exhibiting Safety and Stewardship Award. “We were so stoked to be nominated that we felt we had already won,” Mr Wilkins said. “We didn’t go to win — there were a lot of very good businesses up for the award including stores like Frankland Rural who we learnt so much from.” The award was bestowed at this year’s AgSafe conference held at Sea World on the Gold Coast and Mr Wilkins thanked his team upon receiving the accolade. “I’m very proud of my staff,” he said. “Safety is our number one responsibility and focus, making sure that everyone goes home to their families at the end of the day — I’m so proud.” FarmWorks’ proactive approach to safety was highlighted at the awards ceremony with special mention given to the chemical storage shed the business had constructed and Mr Wilkins’ organisation of an emergency services personnel facility safety walk-through. “The Queensland Fire and Emergency Service did a 45-minute presentation on fire safety at the conference and that gave me a lot of confidence in regards to what we’re doing here,” Mr Wilkins said. “This is an industry where farmers, resellers and transporters — everyone — we all want to be safe. “A lot of our farmers are wanting to be safer in regards to chemical handling and storage and if they’d like a hand to get pointed in the right direction they can call us. “Information that can be shared to make us all safer is always welcome.” AgSafe General Manager Dominique Doyle said that FarmWorks Narrogin were worthy recipients of the award. “It was a strong line-up of nominees, particularly from WA, with five out of the six nominations from WA,” she said. “Farmworks Narrogin impressed the judges with the foresight on how the business is managing a strong safety culture within the team, as well as extending this out to their valued customers and the environment. “It was a very competitive award, and this demonstrates how Farmworks Narrogin have maintained their culture of safety and stewardship while still expanding the business.”