30 Years Of Dedicated, Old-Fashioned Service

In the rural heart of the Burdekin, a small but formidable business has thrived for the past three decades, weathering changes in the agricultural landscape and evolving customer demands. Eileen List and Jenny Cook, the dynamic mother-daughter duo behind Burdekin Growers Services, have not just been witnesses to the transformations in the industry; they have been active participants, adapting and growing their business with an unwavering commitment to quality, independence and community while staying true to their old-fashioned, family business roots.

“You have got to laugh,” Eileen smiles as she and Jenny flick through newspaper clippings from 30 years ago; the laughter not just a reflection of their shared experiences but a testament to their resilience and ability to navigate the challenges that have come their way.

The Origins

Eileen's journey in the industry started at the age of 17 when she was offered a position with a small business that distributed fuel and fertiliser. She was given a book about fertilisers and chemicals which she studied enthusiastically, but it’s the hands-on knowledge and experience she gained from the people around her, learning in the field from “the best of the best”, that led her to a position she could see a future in.

“People would take me out on the farms and show me how to identify pests and diseases,” Eileen says. “I learnt to be able to identify without going to uni – unless you have hands on experience, you’ll never learn what I learnt. It takes you a long time to learn all that.”

Meanwhile, Eileen would bring baby Jenny to work from the age of six weeks old, thus beginning a strong mother-daughter bond that the success of Burdekin Growers Services was built upon. Jenny gained more insight into the industry working with Eileen after school and on school holidays. Upon finishing high school, she faced the decision of attending university or going into business with her knowledgeable mother, ultimately deciding on the latter and never turning back.

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The Early Years

PIC 1 CAPTION: Jenny and Eileen in 1994, printed in the Ayr Advocate

PIC 2 CAPTION: Eileen and Jenny celebrating one year in business, printed in the Ayr Advocate

As reported in the Ayr Advocate:

“1994 marks a new beginning in the working life of Eileen List.”

After 35 years of working with growers in a variety of agricultural sectors from sugarcane to tobacco, Eileen joined forces with Jenny to create Burdekin Growers Services, first opening on Edwards Street, Ayr. Eileen brought with her those decades worth of knowledge and experience and a reputation to match.

“You’ve got to accumulate a lot of knowledge to be able to go into this type of business,” Eileen says. “It’s not something you can do light-heartedly because you’ve really got to know the companies and the products.”

Eileen would continually impart this knowledge onto an eager Jenny, who was eager to outgrow her mother’s shadow and prove herself to the growers of the Burdekin.

“Everyone used to walk in and say, ‘Is Eileen here? Is your mum here?’” Jenny laughs. “It takes a little while to build confidence in the customers. We’ve all been through that.”

Burdekin Growers Services established itself in 1994 as a business catering to all industries of the Burdekin, whether it be sugarcane or mangoes, tree crops or ground crops. Jenny also brings livestock experience to the business and is passionate about animal health and stockfeed, while Eileen’s passion for home gardening is also reflected in the store’s gardening supplies. The store became a one stop shop, also stocking cleaning and household items for those travelling from out of town to buy in bulk.

“Back when we started, a rural business was a bit of everything, it was that place to get things in bulk,” says Jenny. “If someone was coming into town, they could get most of their household items in bulk as well as the farm products.”

“We stick to the same brands too,” adds Eileen. “We use possibly the best household products you can get, and I know because I use them. You get to know all of the products, and you strive to satisfy.”

The New Shop And Beyond

PIC 3 CAPTION: Eileen and Jenny opened their current location in 1997, printed in the Ayr Advocate

In 1997, Burdekin Growers Services relocated to Railway Street, Ayr, where their store and shed still stands. A small house was demolished, and a shed was built and slowly expanded upon with an office, additional shed and store spaces being added on over the years. The grand opening was a grand affair, with over 400 people attending to show their support.

The longevity of Burdekin Growers Services can be attributed to the deep-rooted relationships they have cultivated over the years. Eileen emphasises, “The customer is the core of our business.” The same customers for the last 30 years, and crossing generations of families, reflect the trust and reliability that define their business. It's not just transactions; it's about knowing their customers, caring for them, and, as Jenny adds, “Over time, they become friends.” Burdekin Growers Services maintains the personal touch of an old-fashioned, family-owned business. They stick to first-class products, receive compliments for their practical bookkeeping system, and express gratitude to the community for their unwavering support.

The Dynamic Mother-Daughter Duo

PIC 4 CAPTION: Jenny and Eileen celebrate 30 years of Burdekin Growers Services this year

The enduring partnership of Eileen and Jenny epitomises the strength of their bond and the versatile and unique array of skills, talents and knowledge each brings to the business.

“I love my mum,” Jenny shares. “I don’t find it hard to work with mum at all. We do have our disagreements, but they don’t last very long, they’re pretty direct and to the point, we don’t hold a grudge, we just move on.”

“I think Jenny’s so reliable, that I trust her 100%,” adds Eileen. “If I don’t like something, I say it, if she doesn’t like something, she’ll tell me, and that’s how you adjust the business. Even though we’re mother and daughter, we’re just two people running a business that needs to be successful and it can only be successful if those two people think alike and work alike. We’ve got to be able to complement each other.”

Eileen admits that it took her a while to appreciate the significance of Burdekin Growers Services reaching the 30-year milestone. Thanks to frequent reminders from Jenny and her many loyal customers, she’s come to acknowledge the amazing achievement with appreciation for her loving business partner and the community that supported the business over those decades. With no plans to retire, Eileen and Jenny celebrate the last 30 years while continuing to provide the Burdekin with its agricultural necessities with a smile and some good old-fashioned service.

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