Grow it, feed it, fence it, fix it. The Rural Centre has us sorted ... and more in store than you might know
It’s not just about what you buy, but who you buy it from. Keith, Daneille and Dave know our region, what we’re producing, the products that work for us ... and probably your boot size too.
Written by Manildra Matters Roving Reporter in Vol 21 August 2025
​Since it opened a shopfront in Manildra, 37 years ago, The Rural Centre (TRC) has been saving us time, money and a bit of brain power.
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It's also been supporting Manildra Matters since it was first published in 2004 – helping us keep people up to date with what’s happened, what’s happening and what will happen.
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Local businesses are a time capsule of our history - so we dropped in for a chat with Daneille, Dave and Keith to see what’s changed over the years and what’s in store for us today.
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When this business first started in Orange, the region used to be big into potato crops, fruit orchards and livestock,” says Keith an agronomist who has been with the business for over 35 years and is now one of TRC’s five employee owners.
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“Over the years it's shifted more to broadacre cropping and livestock production.
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“We’ve seen land management practices increase. There are now few farmers who don’t have rotation plans for their crops and livestock and there’s a greater reliance on science to maintain soil viability and animal health. For example, weed and parasite resistance has driven demand for new and improved chemical products.
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“There’s also been a steady consolidation of smaller manufacturers and distributors into large corporations at the expense of local business.
“Which is why, in 1984 we joined the Combined Rural Traders (CRT) group so we could access national buying power to deliver products and services locally, at a sustainable price.”
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CRT also gave us Daneille. After completing an Ag degree in Armidale, she worked for CRT in Sydney, Dubbo and Coffs Harbour, but wanted to come back to the region she and her husband grew up in.
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Around the time they moved back, Narelle Barwick, who had continued to work for the business in Manildra, decided to retire. Daneille was the perfect replacement.
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When I first started here in 2013, people were buying fertiliser by the 25kg bag and now they buy it in 1-tonne bulk bags,” says Daneille.​
“We’ve also seen an increase in diversification and new business models which show how people are adapting to changes on their land and in their markets.”
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Farmer, shearer, wool classer, previous owner of the Imperial Guesthouse and all-round handyman Dave is the other person behind the counter at TRC Manildra.
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He is also one of Manildra’s Community Emergency Response Team volunteers — an invaluable service for our town.
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“Just in case anyone is wondering, there’s no connection between work conditions at TRC and an ambulance parked outside all the time,” jokes Dave who has been with the business for around seven years.
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“This is a great place to work and the owners look out for us.
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“Like the renovations you’re seeing at the moment are not just about creating better storage and more retail space for customers but also a bit more comfort for staff.”
A shopfront in the same location on Derowrie Street circa. 1920s
Here's a bit more history
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1926 - Opened in Orange, as the Orange Machinery Centre, providing equipment and farm supplies
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1964 - Became The Rural Centre Pty Ltd
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1984 - Joined Combined Rural Traders (CRT) to leverage bulk buying power for customers from Australia’s largest network of rural retailers
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1987 - Owners Mr & Mrs Hewett formed a partnership with their employee Les Wright
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1988 - Opened a shopfront on the main street in Manildra, purchased the local fertiliser agency from Ian Giffen, then employed locals Chris and Narelle Barwick to run the store
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2007 - Opened in Molong
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2010 - Five long-standing employees — Keith Garlick, Ray Dedoncker, Phil Morrow, Mike Wright and Kelvin Tom —purchased the business and continue to operate it today​
In the store on Derowrie Street in the 1920s ... to what's in store for you at The Rural Centre today
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It’s obvious TRC stocks products for farmers, but gardeners and DIYers might also save themselves a trip into the city or buying from someone they don't know online.
Let’s start with something you won’t get online —TRC services what it sells. It backs its products and services. There’s a real person to help you find or fix something.
There are other things they sell and do which might surprise some.
There’s all the standard agronomy products … but also soil testing and practical support from trained agronomists.
There’s everything you need to manage water … but also services to help with design and installation.
There’s livestock supplies like feed, health products, handling and husbandry equipment … but also advice and access to an extensive range of suppliers.
There’s fencing products … but not just for farming, for housing and commercial requirements as well.
There’s outdoor power equipment. TRC specialises in Husqvarna, but sells other reputable brands as well; and each piece of equipment is fully assembled and serviced prior to leaving the store.
Its fully-equipped service department in Orange is able to work on most types and brands and it also offers an extensive range of spare parts and accessories.
And then we come to general merchandise. TRC carries a wide, wide range of handy supplies from hardware to home garden items, including dog feed and lawn seed.
“Next year will be 100 years of this rural supply business operating, in one form or another, in the region and I’m pleased we’ve been able to keep it going in Manildra,” says Keith.
“But it doesn’t happen without our customers or staff.
“When someone buys from us, whether it’s one bag of feed or bulk bags of fertiliser, they’re not just keeping our lights on, they’re helping us employ locals which keeps valuable knowledge and skills here for the benefit of everyone.”
