Local ag firms supporting events that strengthen the communities they operate in.
Events like Bike it to Ballidu Gravel simply don’t happen without local business support and so we’re stoked to welcome Boekeman Machinery and Case IH onboard as naming sponsors for our event this year.
Boekemans’ Wongan Hills Branch Manager Dillan Elliott [pictured here alone with tractor] told WestCycle it was a no-brainer for his firm to up its sponsorship commitment after many years supporting the former bitumen incarnation of Bike it to Ballidu that goes all the way back to 1999.
“We’ve always supported it in some capacity. We’ve always had teams competing in it even back before it was a gravel event,” Dillan said.
“About half of our staff of 25 usually ride it. We encourage it among the staff and we even have KPIs for community involvement. I may even ride it myself!”
Boekeman has been servicing the machinery needs of farmers and others in the Shire of Wongan Hills-Ballidu since 1968 – with Case IH being the biggest machinery maker it has distributed over the years in what has become a tight partnership.
🚜Strength through community🚜
Community engagement has always been at the heart of Boekeman’s operations – and fuelled its growth to include five branches and 120 staff throughout the south of the state in towns like Dalwallinu, Northam and Brookton – even moving into ‘civilian’ vehicle sales.
“We try to support as much as we can in the town whether it be the footy club or the bowls club or the tennis club or cricket club – or even the playgroups and community organisations.”
🚜Boosting town life🚜
Dillan said events like Bike it to Ballidu Gravel were important to smaller towns like Ballidu which had seen its population fall in recent years.
“When we saw that the naming rights were available it was something we didn’t hesitate to do because we recognise the importance of community and keeping those communities thriving. It puts Ballidu on the map – an event like this. My father-in-law is a pretty avid cyclist and in their community in Perth it is a pretty known event for sure.”
He added: “The more community and the more families in town, the more chance we have of the school staying open and the pub staying open and the services and resources staying in town – and even to a greater extent attracting staff to town and attracting services to town.”
Early Bird registrations for Bike it to Ballidu Gravel (21 September) are open until 1 July. Sign up here.
