The famous phrase: “Find a job you love and you will never work a day in your life” sums up Jenni O’Sullivan’s 20 years with Elders Stud Stock.
Now based in Toowoomba on the Queensland/ NT team, Jenni was last month named AuctionsPlus Industry Woman of the Year.
“Yes! That was very surprising and I’m really humbled by it,” Jenni said.
“They are such a great bunch of people to work with, the AuctionsPlus crew. Forever progressing the online platform and suite of tools available. As agents the degree of control we have over our listings makes life easier and increases time efficiency.
“So, yeah, to be recognised by people you respect and enjoy working with so much, it’s a great honour.”
Born west of Bendigo at Newbridge in Victoria, Jenni’s parents ran a Poll Hereford stud there before relocating it to Morven in the eastern Riverina district of New South Wales in 1980.
After finishing school, Jenni worked at Invernaion Herefords at Yandilla and Moorlands Herefords at Rosalie Plains before returning south to Kensal Limousin stud on the Murray River.
She later ran her own stud cattle alongside a fitting service before then Elders Victoria/Riverina stud stock manager Michael Glasser called.
With a solid background in stud stock and preparing cattle for show and sale, Jenni was the perfect candidate for Elders and, in July 2004, she began working with the Victoria/ Riverina team in Wangaratta.
“And, don’t they say the rest is history? To think that’s been 20 years is just ridiculous,” Jenni said.
“But, you know, it’s been an honour to work in this industry. Because the people that I work with now, wearing the pink shirt, so many of them I’ve literally known all my life.
“So many of them I worked with pre-Elders on the other side of the fence, so to speak.
“I have loved every moment of it. And a lot of that is not only because of my deep interest in and passion for the industry, but so much because of the people.
“There’s so many people that we work with day-to-day that are just such great people. It’s really like you’ve got family everywhere. It’s so nice.”
Jenni cites online selling and progress in both genetics and genomics as among the biggest game changes to the stud stock industry in her time.
“Obviously not everyone, but now a greater percentage of people have a focus on figures while, of course, still backing that up with traditional values.”
For Jenni, the most satisfying aspect of the job is exceeding client’s expectations when sourcing replacement seed stock.
“One of the greatest rewards of this job is the trust clients have in me to assess stock on their behalf,” she said.
And, when recalling her most significant moments of her career, Jenni said there were many standouts.
“But, you know, it’s not all about the record-breaking sales.
“As great as they are to be a part of, sometimes it’s the smaller moments that give you a buzz. Like seeing young newcomers
in the industry getting ahead, or my all time favourite seeing the first drop of progeny from a new sire.”
Jenni said she had “a lot“ to be thankful for.
“The opportunities Elders have given me over the past 20 years, the mentorship from industry leaders I have upmost respect for and the friendship and support of so many.
“And, now, for the honour of receiving this award from AuctionsPlus.
“It means a lot.”
