Buchner bows out of business

HE'S often perched on a tractor beautifying the Rose City, behind a van's window at community events and recognisable by the Tiddalik number plates on his ute.

Graham Buchner looks toward a new future – which he reckons won’t include much leisure – entwined with community service after his business was sold to Pursehouse Rural.

HE’S often spotted perched on a tractor beautifying the Rose City, behind a van’s window at community events and easily recognisable by the Tiddalik number plates on his ute.

But soon there will be one place Graham Buchner will no longer be the driving force as he says goodbye to Warwick Freighters and Ag-Services, a company which he has owned for 46 years.

From August 30, the agricultural component of Warwick Freighters and Ag-Services will be handed over to Pursehouse Rural, a New South Wales company which has branches at Pittsworth, Clifton and Allora.

“An opportunity arose and I thought, ‘Why not?’ – now I can channel my energy into other pursuits,” Mr Buchner told the Daily News.

“We will still look after the transport side but hopefully we will have fully walked away by Christmas. Pursehouse Rural will take over the ag side and (the McEvoy Street) building.

“It’s all up to the great man upstairs whether he wants you down here or not but I hope to be here for a bloody long time.”

By “other pursuits” Mr Buchner is referring to volunteering at the 14 different community organisations he is affiliated with across the region.

Whether it is picking up rubbish, slashing grass by the highway, shaving his beard for the Leukaemia Foundation or donating his vans as communication points at community events, Mr Buchner is there supporting the town he loves.

The philanthropist’s deep rumbling laugh resonated as he shrugged off the notion of putting up his feet.

“You’ve either got it or you don’t; you can either be a tight-arse or ridiculous like me,” Mr Buchner said.

“I don’t go on holidays. I’ll be around doing what I love so it’s not really retirement.”

But Mr Buchner fessed up he would still indulge his wife Margaret on a trip away.

“In October I’ll take my dear wife whale watching for our 50th anniversary,” he said.

Pursehouse general manager Gavin Batinic confirmed former Leitch Pastoral Group operations manager Rob Doro would take on the manager role at the soon-to-be Pursehouse Rural Warwick branch.

“Rob used to work for Warwick Freighters and Ag-Services a few years ago but we’ve known Graham for many years,” Mr Batinic said.

“This (take-over) has been in the wings for many years but has just come into fruition. The business will remain as is and we’ll tap into what Pursehouse specialises in which is seed, fertiliser and general (stock animal) health.”

Mr Batinic said current Warwick Freighters and Ag-Services staff would be interviewed this week with three or four positions available “to start off”.

“I believe there is about five staff there now... we’re a family independent business and are services based. Supporting the local area is very important to us,” he said.

Originally published as Buchner bows out of business