Of great benefit to our customers is the fact that the Grovers team has worked together without change since the start of the Skipton business in 2015 and the building of the new facility where trading commenced early 2017. Each of the team has specialty skills but also can overlap to share roles which is very necessary in a seasonal business. The team works especially hard in the March to June part of the season. The Grovers philosophy is that they are part of their customer’s agricultural production business. Grovers can help you plan your year ahead, respect your forward schedules and anticipate seasonal demands to meet your needs. With the backing of AIRR’s Australia wide resources we are well placed to be your rural supplies partners from our base in Skipton.
We are fortunate to have such an expert, cohesive and good-humoured team offering continuity to our customers.
To help us manage our growing business, Grovers plan to add new staff resources in the next few months. We will keep you informed.
Charlie
General Manager
Charlie Groves is General Manager and Director of Grovers Rural Services Pty Ltd, the owner of our business. He plans and oversees the business, maintaining relationships with customers, suppliers and service providers. He has a keen knowledge of all industry products and is constantly in discussions about forward supplies, pricing, logistics and the like. As described above, Charlie is pleased to be able to continue to serve his customers under the Grovers banner, following his purchase of the Skipton business from the Hewitt family.
Adam
Professional Agronomist
Adam Slater is our professionally qualified (Adv Dip Ag, Univ Melb 2004) and with 15 years of experience in advising farmers and graziers in farm planning and operations. He grew up in Skipton, was educated at Longerenong College, part of Uni of Melb near Horsham, and has worked in advising owners and managers of properties in the Skipton area for the last 15 years. He commenced five years ago with Charlie in his then new business in Skipton. His local knowledge and experience is of great value to customers in his role giving agronomic advice throughout the season. He assists with farm plans, including estimates of individual paddock performance, and year to year recommendations for soil treatments based on tests, seed varieties and agricultural chemical applications. He follows through with assistance to customers with orders and logistics. Typically, Adam may visit a property several times each year to monitor and advise, from pre-season planning and preparation, through germination and up to pre-harvest, depending on each property owner/manager’s needs. Adam played footy at Skipton, lives locally and is a proud local identity pleased to continue with Charlie and the GRS team.
Caine
Merchandise Manager
Caine McMahon knows most of our clients personally and most of the people in our supplier base. He spends his time in the office, on the move with his constant phone contact, and out on farms making deliveries and liaising with customers. Caine has been with Charlie at Skipton for 5 years and prior to that he was with Landmark at Skipton for 4 years before that. Caine is a building industry tradie by training and in his first career he rose through various roles to become a senior team leader in construction. Originally from NSW, he always had an interest in agriculture and country life through his father and grandfather, and he took the opportunity to change careers 9 years ago when he came to Skipton. Caine brings local and industry knowledge to Grovers and our customers.
Lizzie
Lizzie Groves is an effective behind the scene team member, providing sales and admin support throughout the year and particularly in the peak season. Lizzie grew up a sheep grazier’s daughter in nearby Ballan, had her schooling in the district, and is a member of a very large, long established family of farming pioneers. She seems to know nearly everyone. One of her main jobs is to keep Charlie in line, which she does admirably. Many customers know her from delivery visits, building relationships in the shop, and at community functions.
Trudy
Bookkeeping
Trudy Ryan has joined Grovers recently with the transfer of the business into Grovers Rural Services Pty Ltd ownership. She is a registered BAS agent and member of the Australian Bookkeepers Network. Her role is to record transactions, prepare reconciliations, prepare BAS and IAS, and provide payroll and administration services. Trudy works with our accountant Aaron Toohey to keep our books and administration in order.
Brett (“Oxman”) Martin
IT Consultant
He has worked with Charlie for many years, and has set up Grovers’ IT and computer system and software. He is familiar with the Merlin/Cobalt software and our communications and security/backup systems on which the Skipton business has relied and will continue to rely in future. He is a brilliant IT specialist and we are fortunate to have his help.
John Gillett
Advisor
John has been an advisor to Charlie for many years and assisted in the set up of the Grovers business. John is qualified in Business Management and has CEO, sales, finance, business set up and technical experience in large and small businesses, and now specialises in strategic advice to start up projects and companies.