HAROLD Kenway and Ted Clark saw the need.

It was early 1960, and the two men put in motion a plan to establish an International Harvester franchise in Moree to service the north and north-west.

It was a huge gamble, given much of the district’s wheat crops the previous year had been flattened by devastating hailstorms and local farmers feared a second coming in 1960.

But Harold and Ted looked beyond the negatives and set about making their plan a reality, and on July 1 of that year, they nailed up their shingle and swung open the doors to their Frome Street shed.

Sixty-five years later and Kenway and Clark has expanded to nine branches – Moree, Inverell, Wee Waa, Gunnedah, Tamworth, Walgett, Cowra and Young and Goondiwindi.

Kenway and Clark general manager, Peter Burey, has been with the company for more than 40 years, and proudly takes his Case IH cap off to Harold Kenway and Ted Clark.

“Back in the late 1950s, Ted and Harold worked for International Harvester, and were given the opportunity to create a dealership somewhere in New South Wales – the choice was theirs,” Mr Burey said.

“With irrigation starting in Moree at the time, they chose this area above all others – they could see potential in the district and opened Kenway and Clark in 1960.”

Ted and Harold’s choice was wise. The year 1960 was in complete contrast to the previous year.

In 1960, there was a record wheat harvest across much of New South Wales and Queensland, and Ted and Harold were right there in the thick of it.

At the time, long-serving Grain Elevators’ Board member, Tom A’Beckett, said the harvest in parts of New South Wales will produce “more wheat than we can handle”.

Australian Wheat Board chairman, Sir John Teasedale, echoed Mr A’Beckett’s concerns.

Sir John said figures indicated a wheat receival of between 200 million and 225 million bushels was forecast, given normal weather.

The stars aligned up around Moree way as well, with Harold Kenway and Ted Clark’s new enterprise – with a staff of two – starting its first year on the right side of the ledger.

Within 12 months, Kenway and Clark employed 11 staff and that figure now sits at around the 140-mark.

In 1986, Kenway and Clark became Case Corporation machinery dealers, and earlier this year was named Case IH CNH Capital Dealer of the Year – for the third time in nine years.

After a record harvest last year, Mr Burey expects similar figures this season.

“This year is again looking like a very solid season, with crops being as good, if not better, than last year,” Mr Burey said.

“Again, the weather has been kind. There were a couple of small storms that put the start of harvest back a day or two, but everything is pointing to another big season.”

With big seasons, comes the need for more staff – and employment opportunities at Kenway and Clark are available at all branches.

“Staffing is a major asset for Kenway and Clark and we are constantly looking for people who are willing to maintain the after-sales support that was started by Ted and Harold 65 years ago,” Mr Burey said.

Career opportunities with Kenway and Clark, including the 2026 Diesel Mechanic Apprenticeship Program across all branches, can be found HERE.

“We are currently looking for staff in all branches and in all departments – sales, service, parts and administration – and our apprenticeship program offers great career pathways,” Mr Burey said.

Kenway and Clark Moree

Address: 369-379 Frome Street, Moree

Hours: Monday to Friday between 8am and 5pm and 8am until 12pm Saturdays

Phone: 6750 8300

Email: [email protected].

Website: https://kenwayandclark.com.au/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kenwayandclark

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kenwayandclark/?hl=en

Information about all branches can be found at the K&C