Staff shortage spells end of the road for thriving business

Last days of trading for thriving business, Hay Ag and Auto - a sad time for employee Helen Jacka and principal, John Burgess.

A lack of staff has long plagued local businesses, and this month will see the closure of one that has been entrenched in the local community for 26 years.

“This is not the way we wanted to end,” Hay Ag and Auto principal, John Burgess said.

“It is not a decision we made lightly. Everything is making money, the business is growing, but we cannot continue to operate with a staff shortage.”

Hay Ag and Auto opened on March 4, 1996 –the day of the Federal elections which led John Howard to becoming Prime Minister.

Principals John and Christina Burgess moved to Hay from Deniliquin to start their business, initially located in the former video shop, now occupied by AutoPro.

Two years later they moved to their current location.

“Our vision was, and has remained, to service the farmers and the town,” John, a former farmer from Bunaloo said.

“Our strength has been our staff; their knowledge of the product and ability to nut out the needs of our customers.

“We’ve had some really good staff over the years who have dealt with the every-revolving nature of the business as farming practices changed.

“I would like to thank the community for their never-ending support. We didn’t want to do this, but had no option as Chris and I moved to Newcastle 10 years ago.”

Helen Jacka has been with the business for 14 years. It’s a career she knows, having worked in spare parts for the former Thompson Toyota after leaving school.

“It’s very sad,” she said.

“We’ve always provided a service to our loyal customers and I personally have learnt a lot over the years.

“Demand changes all the time. Some of the bread-and-butter lines are no longer needed.

“Rice had just started when the business opened, and now it’s cotton where everything is bought in bulk.

“Feedlots have doubled in capacity and I have watched this business grow through all the changes.

“It’s been a pleasure working here, and going the extra distance for our rural customers when they were unable to get to town. We were even selling toilet paper to them at one stage.

“Closing the doors of Hay Ag and Auto is going to be very sad.”

And sad for the customers too, with one saying, “they’ve always got something you need”.

The last day of trading has not yet been determined, but will be within the current financial year.