BY ELTON LONARATHA JNR
In Victoria, Australia
The growing demand for reliable farm labour across Australia has cast a bright light on Solomon Islands workers, whose strong performance and reputation have made them highly sought after in the country’s agriculture sector.
During a recent visit to Kelly Brothers Farm, one of Australia’s largest and award-winning vegetable producers based in Murray Valley Highway in Yarrawonga, Victoria, Australia, Island Sun learnt that local Solomon Islanders working in other parts of Australia particularly in Cobram — have built a strong reputation among farmers.
Farm owner James Kelly, who manages the 158-year-old family business, said that although he has not yet recruited Solomon Islanders himself, he has heard nothing but positive feedback about their work performance and character.
“A lot of Solomon Islanders are working on fruit farms now and in the abattoirs in Cobram.
“I think in Cobram there are maybe 600 or 700 Solomon Islanders working there over the past five years.
“It’s good for the local economy the fruit farms and businesses need workers, and they’re good workers. Everyone’s happy with them,” Mr Kelly said.
Kelly said the commitment and cheerful attitude of Solomon Islanders have impressed Australian farmers, adding that once conditions improve for his own business, he plans to consider hiring workers from the Solomon Islands in the near future.
“They work hard, they’re always happy, and they don’t cause trouble which is great.
“Once we get busy again, I’d be happy to look at employing some. We have accommodation here for them too,” he said.
The Kelly Brothers Farm offers free on-site accommodation for up to 60 workers, including access to water and lighting at no cost. Workers are only required to cover their own food expenses.
“It’s cheap to live here compared to renting elsewhere.
“In Cobram, a three-bedroom house now costs around $500 a week, which is very expensive. Here, workers can live and work comfortably on the farm,” Kelly said.
At its peak, the farm employed around 70 workers, but due to economic challenges and reduced production, that number has dropped to around 20, including both working and non-working residents.
Established more than a century and a half ago, Kelly Brothers Farm has long been a pillar of Australia’s vegetable industry, producing a variety of crops for Melbourne and beyond.
However, like many farms across the country, it now faces mounting financial pressure due to rising production costs and unfavourable supermarket pricing.
Once home to 16 different vegetable crops, the farm now produces just a handful cabbages, parsnips, brown onions, leeks, and spinach with most operations concentrated during winter, between March and October, when growing conditions are most favourable.
Despite the challenges, Kelly remains optimistic about the future both for his business and for the opportunities that await Solomon Islanders in Australia’s expanding agricultural workforce.
“We’ll see what the future holds.
“If things pick up, we’ll be ready to grow again and hopefully, we can bring in more good people to work with us,” he said.
Kelly Brothers Farm is located along the Murray Valley Highway in Yarrawonga.
Island Sun understands that around nine thousand Solomon Islanders moved to work in Australia this year under the seasonal workers programme.
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