Fox & Lillie Rural were joined last week by some of their valued staff and woolgrower clients from around the Skipton, Victoria region to recognise the 37 years of invaluable contribution made by Fox & Lillie Rural’s Skipton Wool Store manager Gavan Corbett, who has made the personal decision to relocate to Corowa in early January 2023.
The move will still see Gavan remain at the company, taking on a position at the new Fox & Lillie Rural Corowa Wool Store to support Jenni Turner and Scott Bredden.
Gavan first started working at Fox & Lillie Rural’s Skipton Wool Store in 1985, and four and a half years later took over the role of Skipton Store Manager. Jonathan Lillie, Fox & Lillie Rural’s Managing Director said that over the last 37 years of Gavan working for the family business, he has been a reliable and respected member of the wool buying team.
“Gavan has built up the Skipton store to the successful business it is today, one built on integrity and strong grower relationships and we wish him all the best for this new chapter of life that he is embarking on. We are very pleased that Gavan will be able to remain at the company, and will support Jenni Turner and Scott Bredden to develop the new store at Corowa into a major hub for wool in the district.”
Gavan’s departure at Skipton has also paved the way for Kirsty Ford, to begin a new era as the first female manager of the Fox & Lillie Rural Skipton store. The wool store will continue to support wool growers with a range of wool marketing options including fixed price wool brokerage and direct store buying.
Kirsty who previously worked as a wool classer around the Lake Bolac, Wickliffe and Moyston areas and joined Fox & Lillie Rural in at the beginning of 2021, and has been shadowing Gavan in the store for the past two years. Also joining the store earlier this year in October is Mel Evans, who will support Kirsty with the ongoing store operations.
Gavan said that Kirsty has really hit the ground running since she started in early 2021. “Kirsty has taken on the chance to run the operation at Skipton with open arms and will do a fantastic job. Kirsty has become a great asset to the Fox & Lillie Rural business and to growers in the Skipton and surrounding area and I hope everyone will continue to support her and the Skipton store.
Skipton is a fantastic community to be part of. Our relationships we have with our customers are more than just business, I consider them friendships.”
For information relating to our Skipton Wool Store, please contact:
Kirsty Ford: 0455 900 904
Store Phone: 03 5340 2202
