An end of an era has occurred in Penola, with long-time stock agent Darren Maney retiring.

At the age of 23 Darren was very grateful to be offered a role with Elders as a seasonal salesman and is very proud of what he has achieved in his more than three decades as a stock agent.

He moved to Penola in 1987 and was employed by Elders and worked with Ron Thomas and Peter DeGaris.

After six months at Penola he was moved to the Elders Keith branch.

During his Keith stint, Thomas, De Garis and Clarkson opened up in Penola.

“I was on $16,000 at the time. Elders then offered me $17,200 to come back to Penola,” Darren said.

“I initially refused it, but after negotiations stretched out for three months, they offered me $20,000 to return and I had to accept that money at the time,” Darren said.

Ron Thomas had approached Darren on several occasions to make the move to TDC, and it never really sat well with Darren having to compete against Ron and Peter at TDC.

After more phone calls from TDC he decided to join them in 1991.

Darren was the first to be employed by TDC and he was employed as a full-time livestock agent.

Peter DeGaris did about 70% of the livestock work while Ron Thomas did a bit but was more focused on real estate.

When asked what was the most enjoyable part of his job, Darren said it was the satisfaction and thrill of getting the best price for his clients.

“I am a very competitive person by nature and that combined with a good work ethic certainly brings out the best in me,” he said.

For those of you who do not know Darren, he is a very entertaining auctioneer who believes auctioneering is no different to anything else, if you are going to do a job you have to do it properly.

“Like it or lump it if you are up in front of a crowd you have to entertain them.

You need to get them laughing and they expect you to say something funny.

“It’s just a part of the game,” he said.

Darren said he had seen some incredible changes in his time in the industry.

He has seen sheep sold for $20-$50 in 1988/89, then in 1991 with the collapse of the wool floor price his biggest job was putting sheep in pits because they had no value.

Sheep were very hard to sell back then, and on one day in 1991 he recalls David Woolard (who worked for Metro Meats at the time) purchasing 3200 sheep from Penola TDC clients for a gross amount of $632.

“In the last five to six years I would never have thought that calves would bring $2000 and lambs from $200-$300,” Darren said.

“The thing that revolutionised the stock and station industry is the mobile phone.

“Prior to that we would make between 25-50 calls each night.

“Peter DeGaris and myself made a pact that we would finish at 10.40pm each night and allow ourselves a 15 minute chat to be ready for the next day.”

Darren said he would be forever grateful to Ron Thomas, Peter De Garis and David Clarkson for the opportunities he has been given.

“Ron was an extremely good businessman and Peter had an incredible worth ethic and love of people,” he said.

“Peter O’Connor from O’Connor and Graney took me under his wing in the early days and instilled in me how to be sales smart.

Those things were so important and encouraging to me.

“They were all outstanding mentors in their own way, and all had something different to offer.”

Darren purchased TDC shares in 1998 and later became a director and has been for some 25 years.

“To be a good stock and station agent it is all about relationships and treating everyone the same.

“Whether that be with the carrier, other agents, meat buyers or clients with two cattle or two thousand cattle,” he said.

Darren said he has had up to 11 clients going back to a third generation.

When asked what some of his major highlights were he said he was very proud to see the business grow and be so successful, which made him feel very proud.

He is even prouder of his staff.

“From me being the first employee of TDC to a much larger staff really tells me there is more success to come.,” he said.

Darren said his family have been a huge support throughout his career.

Pre-mobile phone days it was his wife’s job to raise the kids and he went to work.

“I was very lucky to have a wife who was very independent, and she did a great job.

“I have also been fortunate enough to work with both my kids at some stage,” he said.

“In my retirement I look forward to looking after our farm and spending more time with the six grandkids.

“TDC have approached me to assist with mentoring of some staff, so I will take on that role.

“I will also assist O’Connor and Graney in Mount Gambier with some support.

“I have always wanted to go to the Lords Cricket Ground in England and see a cricket match and my family have given me tickets to the Ashes as a retirement gift.

“Tracey and myself will have a six week holiday overseas in mid-June and will visit England, Ireland and Europe.”

Darren said he wanted to sincerely thank all clients, friends, associates and family for their support over the last 36 years.

He also announced he has sold his TDC shares to Tom Pearce and Matt Treglown and wishes them both every success.

A farewell is being held this week.