• Brad Fallow won Southland’s regional excavator competition, securing a spot in the national finals.
  • Competitors tackled precision tasks like tea-pouring, hazard-spotting, and a health and safety quiz.
  • Event highlighted the immense skill and precision of excavator operators to the public.

Brad Fallow has emerged victorious in the CCNZ CablePrice Southland Regional Excavator Operator Competition, securing his place in the national finals at the Central District Field Days in Feilding this March. Fallow, a foreman and excavator operator for SouthRoads, triumphed over strong competition, with Brody Davidson from Ryal Bush Transport taking second place and Mark Jenkins from Fulton Hogan finishing third.

Fallow, who has operated machinery since the age of 19, said his experience helped him prepare for the demanding tests. Reflecting on his win, he shared, “Last year I got a taste of the finals so I’m looking forward to getting back there. Hopefully I won’t be a nervous wreck like I was my first time around.”

The competition featured a mix of crowd-pleasing and technically challenging tasks designed to test operators’ precision and skill. Highlights included dunking a basketball with an excavator bucket, constructing a pergola in tight spaces, and delicately pouring a cup of tea. Competitors also faced more routine but equally important tasks, such as hazard-spotting and a health and safety quiz.

CCNZ Southland Branch Chair Regan McRandle praised the event, calling it “hotly contested” and a fantastic way to highlight the expertise of excavator operators. “It was excellent. The weather was good, the competition was really good and there was a fantastic crowd of people at the Winton A&P show to watch,” McRandle said.

He also emphasised the level of skill on display: “The skills are a lot finer and more precise than most of the operators get credit for. They make their diggers dance out there, they really do.”

The competition, now in its third decade, was supported by major sponsors including CablePrice, Hirepool, Attach2, Humes, and Connexis, with Milwaukee providing prizes. McRandle expressed gratitude for their contributions, stating, “Their commitment helps us showcase what our industry does and how vital and skilful excavator operators are. We're incredibly grateful for their support."

The national finals will see Fallow represent Southland against 11 other regional winners, and he hopes his previous experience will give him an edge.

Winners List:

  • First: Brad Fallow, SouthRoads.
  • Second: Brody Davidson, Ryal Bush Transport.
  • Third: Mark Jenkins, Fulton Hogan.
Share this article
The link has been copied!