Travelling and trading in the right direction at Crossroads

CROSSROADS Trading Ballan has been celebrated as the most progressive of the 330 Australian Independent Rural Retailers stores across the country.

The farming supplies and services shop was presented with the Suppliers’ Choice Award at the recent AIRR national conference on the Gold Coast.

Crossroads Trading’s managing director Asha Shanahan, who runs the family business with her husband Bernie, said it was pleasing to be recognised having worked in agriculture her whole life.

“We’re old fashioned, we try to have everything, we’re open seven days a week, and we contribute to every community activity,” she said.

“We’re who we are because of our staff, and they’re important to us.”

Mrs Shanahan said running an agricultural business can be challenging.

“I’m reasonably young in this game, and I’m female,” she said.

“It can be pretty tough in a man’s world, so this award is special.”

Nine of Crossroads’ 25 employees are women.

Mrs Shanahan expressed her thanks to the suppliers, and to the Ballan and District Chamber of Commerce for their support.

Manager David Agius said residents of the Ballan district are proud of what the business has achieved, and that’s rewarding.

“They come in and congratulate us,” he said.