Meet Rick Jones!

Taking on the role of Operations Manager for Lely Center Gippsland this January, we subjected Rick to the new team member questionnaire - and of all our Gippsland origin stories, Rick’s has to take the cake.
“I grew up in the Trafalgar Police Station,” he says. “Not for the reasons you’re thinking. My dad was the local copper, and back then the residence was attached to the station. We actually had a jail cell in our backyard.”

Now working in dairy, Rick’s pathway into the industry wasn’t a traditional one.

“My sister’s on a dairy farm and I’ve got mates from farms, but that’s about the extent of my dairy exposure - besides drinking milk, of course!”
What Rick does bring, besides a good sense of humour, is decades of experience from the electrical and construction industries. He started as a 15-year-old apprentice electrician, went on to run his own electrical contracting business, spent around 13 years with electrical manufacturer Clipsal, and later worked for 15 years as an Electrical Project Manager and Operations Manager across service and large commercial jobs.

“I’ve lived and worked in Perth, the Kimberley and Townsville,” he says. “But I’m a true Gippslander at heart.”

Over that time, Rick has played a part in the construction of many landmark buildings across the region. At Lely Center Gippsland, his role is less about any single department and more about how they all connect.

“My job here is to facilitate a cohesive and communicative centre; clear communication across our Customers, Suppliers, Service Staff, Sales Staff, Admin, FMS, Marketing, Installation team - everyone.”

Rick says joining Lely was as much about people as it was about the product.

“I’ve known Greg Cole for many years,” he says. “I’m inspired by his passion for the Lely product. A great business starts with leadership, and Greg’s passion and investment in outstanding staff are the foundation of a great place to work. The people here, both staff and customers, are genuine, honest, and a pleasure to spend my working day with.”

Looking ahead, Rick sees dairy heading in a familiar direction to what he’s seen other industries navigate.

“I imagine we’ll follow other industries and embrace technology, much like Europe has,” he says. “I also think farmers are becoming more conscious of their own wellbeing and work–life balance. There’s a shift away from the old expectation to slug it out dusk till dawn, seven days a week.”

Speaking of time outside of work, Rick says he likes to keep things simple - getting together with family and friends for a feed, a drink and a laugh. “I’m a terrible guitarist," he admits, "but after a few beers I think I’m Bon Jovi.”

When he’s not strumming the guitar or diving headfirst into the dairy industry, you’ll likely find him outdoors.

“I love camping, fishing, a bit of hiking, and I still get out for the occasional surf. Gippsland is easily the best place on earth. For me, the Strzelecki Ranges are the jewel in the crown, but how can you not love the beaches, snowfields, high country, lakes... The list goes on. The Yarragon Pub beer garden with some live Sunday music is pretty good too.”

While Rick’s official title is Operations Manager, he’s known to most as Jonesy and he’s happy with that, or Rick.

“I’ve been called many things, and I generally answer to most!” he says.

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