Ex-soldiers to help harvest

Retired soldiers itching to get back behind the wheel of large, hulking machinery are being offered a golden opportunity — heaps of harvest work.

Operation Grain Harvest Assist is gathering momentum on Facebook where former defence force members, AgForce Queensland and state bodies like NSW Farmers are working to link retired servicemen and women with grain producers.

“Driving a tank or piloting aircraft in a military manoeuvre is surely a great segue to working on-farm using heavy machinery such as harvesters with auto-steer, GPS guidance and airconditioning,” retired Royal Australian Armoured Corps Lieutenant Colonel Garry Spencer said.

“We’ve put our heads together with grains industry leaders and devised a plan that’ll help not only farmers but also benefit our people with the option to get out and work on-farm to gain a sense of satisfaction, and valuable income, at this vital time.”

Operation Grain Harvest

Assist uses dedicated Facebook groups (one for Western Australia and South Australia, another for eastern states) to allow farmers to advertise work directly to former Australian Defence Force personnel.

NSW Farmers’ Grains Committee chair Matthew Madden said the winter grain harvest in NSW was expected to fall short by about 1000 workers if something isn’t done.

“We need a timely and successful harvest and the experience of former ADF servicemen and women in areas such as heavy machinery handling will make them

ideal candidates for grain harvest roles, many of which are skilled or semi-skilled,” Mr Madden said.

Created in August and launched in September, the Operation Grain Harvest Assist pages have more than 1200 group members already.

So far most of the job ads are big contractors looking for experienced header and chaser bin operators, while most ex-defence personnel are looking for smaller, beginner jobs close to their rural home towns.

Retired police officers, ex-firefighters and others with truck licences are welcome to take part.