Ballarat locals shine in Deere awards

Two Ballarat locals will represent their community on the national stage after being named finalists in the 2025 John Deere Technician of the Year Awards.

Michael Moriconi and Tanisha Sevenich, both from Brandt Ballarat, are among the country’s best in their fields, selected from hundreds of technicians across Australia. Mr Moriconi is a finalist for Agriculture & Turf Service Technician of the Year, while Ms Sevenich is in the running for Parts Technician of the Year.

The annual awards, now in their fifth year, celebrate the essential work technicians do to keep regional industries moving. The finalists will compete in Brisbane this September, where they’ll face challenging technical tests designed to mirror real-world problems.

John Deere Australia and New Zealand Managing Director Luke Chandler said technicians like Mr Moriconi and Ms Sevenich are vital to rural communities.

“Being a technician today is all about supporting customers and the industries that keep regional Australia strong,” Mr Chandler said.

“They play a crucial role that calls for digital expertise, critical thinking and the ability to solve complex problems.”

Mr Moriconi, who grew up on a mango farm in North Queensland, said his passion for John Deere machinery started early.

“I still remember when Dad brought home our first John Deere tractor. From that day, I was hooked,” he said.

Ms Sevenich took a less traditional path into the industry, moving from beauty therapy and traffic control into agricultural machinery.

“It was a huge step out of my comfort zone, but I haven’t looked back,” she said.

The winners will be announced at a gala event in September. For now, the Ballarat community is cheering on its local contenders as they prepare to showcase their skills on a national stage.

For more details on the awards and all finalists, visit the official John Deere Technician of the Year Awards page.