Katanning local Dillon Clay wins agricultural and off-road category in inaugural tyre fitter of year awards
Katanning local Dillon Clay has been named Australia's top agricultural tyre fitter, taking out the agricultural and off-road category in the inaugural Tyre Fitter of the Year awards.
Mr Clay was born and raised in the Great Southern town and has worked at Katanning's CGS Tyres for more than 10 years.
He was presented the national award at a ceremony on May 22 after winning the State award.
'I was pretty stoked to win both the State and national awards, it was a bit of a surprise but always nice to have that recognition,' Mr Clay said.
'I think everyone, no matter what they do, likes to be recognised for the hard work they put in, and it's great for everyone that does work hard in this job that we can be recognised with these awards now.'
Australian Tyre Traders' WA Sales Manager Daniel Trevaskis presented Mr Clay with his award at the Katanning ceremony, and said the win was 'absolutely deserved'.
'What truly sets Dillon apart is that he's more than a tyre fitter, he's a trusted adviser to the local farming and industrial community,' he said.
'Choosing the right tyre for the right application is critical, particularly in agriculture where the wrong fit can affect crop yields, machinery performance and operating costs.
'Dillon's years of experience, combined with his technical knowledge, mean many customers simply ask for 'whatever Dillon recommends' and that level of trust speaks volumes.'
Mr Trevaskis said Mr Clay was also known for his warm and friendly attitude.
'His customers describe him as 'funny and very helpful' with many visiting the store just to have a yarn,' he said.
'His ability to build long-term customer relationships, offer tailored advice, and deliver results quickly and safely, all with a zero-incident safety record, and this when combined made him a clear standout among the national finalists.'
Mr Trevaskis said the awards were designed to recognise the hard work and skill of the 'often overlooked' tyre fitters across the country, and the impact they have on keeping national industries including freight, agriculture, and construction on the move.
'Regional tyre fitters are the unsung backbone of Australia's heavy industries,' he said.
'In areas like Katanning, they are relied upon to keep everything from tractors and harvesters to freight trucks and construction machinery operating safely and efficiently.
'Without them, vital work in agriculture, construction, logistics and more would come to a standstill.'
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