Introducing Phil & Sherrin Madden

Saturday, March 1, 2025

Hannaford are pleased to welcome Phil and Sherrin Madden as new Franchisees.

Based in Mildura, Phil is qualified mechanical fitter and boilermaker with a strong maintenance background in both the mining and food sectors. Until recently he has been a contractor at the Fosterville gold mine, commuting to Bendigo for work.

“I’ve pretty much been in a maintenance role all my life, working in mining for 15 years and the food industry for ten years in varying capacities.”

Phil’s exposure to agriculture has been more in horticulture and on the food side of things, having worked in such roles as maintenance manager for a large packhouse in Mildura, and for companies such as Stanley Wines and Fosters.

Phil said he was looking forward to working locally, utilising his mechanical skills to provide a quality service to farmers.

“The switch to agriculture is a change of life, pure and simple,” said Phil. “The chance to start a Hannaford franchise in my area was an opportunity that popped up that I couldn’t walk past.”

Phil grew up in Kyneton, until the age of 15 when the family relocated to Mildura. While Phil has travelled extensively for work over the years, he and partner Sherrin now call Mildura home.

Sherrin works in finance for a large, diversified building company and will handle the administration and bookwork side of the operation, while Phil handles the on-farm seed grading & treatment.

The couple first heard about Hannaford through a friend operating a franchise in southern Victoria.

“My mate had nothing but good words to say about this company and Hannaford are a credible long-standing brand in agriculture,” he said. “The franchise also provides me an opportunity for more self-determination with the chance to run my own business.”

Phil has been spending time with existing Hannaford Franchisee’s to “learn the ropes” and is keen to hit the ground running with his own machine at the beginning

of February.

He is determined to deliver on Hannaford’s reputation for a local and reliable, quality service in a timely fashion.

“I want to make sure that farmers are getting the right specs, that they’re happy with the quality of their seed,” he said, “No-one wants blocked up air seeders.”

“I aim to provide grain growers with a good product, and to also provide a prompt and reliable service with the highest quality chemicals that are on the market.”

Phil & Sherrin Madden

0427 148 117

sunraysia@hannafords.com