Racing the River

When someone goes out of their way to praise the efforts of their apprentice, you know they’re worth celebrating.

WSB Karoonda Branch Manager Luke Hocking has an outstanding apprentice in Bailey Boughen, and had to share with us just how good Bailey is.

“His attention to detail, he’s reliable, always on time, not afraid to ask questions, respectful to clients and presents well,” says Luke

“He’s by far the best apprentice I’ve ever had.”

Born and bred in Karoonda, in the middle of the Murray Mallee region, Bailey has just begun his second year of his Agricultural apprenticeship, which has seen him work on all kinds of broadacre farm machinery, including tractors, headers, seeders and sprayers to name a few.

He’s always been keen to work around agriculture, and started off as a School-Based apprentice, only recently coming on board full time at WSB Karoonda.

What’s unique about this however, is the out-of-work relationship between Bailey and the business.

Bailey regularly competes in Dinghy boat racing in the Riverland – a popular river sport whereby participants race around a 5-6km flatwater course in a 16ft dingy with a motor at up to 90kmph.

Touted ‘the Wildest Boat Race on the River’, racers compete in pairs with a steerer and a driver.

As Luke is such a valued member of the WSB Karoonda team, the business sponsors the value of his boat and allow him to use the workshop after-hours to prepare his boat for racing.

“He travels approx. 120kms from Karoonda to Berri every weekend to compete,” says Luke.

WSB Karoonda then receive their branding on the boat, but it’s more about supporting a well-respected member of their team.

“He’s the youngest member of the team, but doing jobs beyond his years – he’s fully respected by his peers.

“He’s a loyal friend, a popular kid among his age group, but mixes with all ages of the community; he’s got a mature head on him and is an all-round likeable lad with a good work ethic.”