Meet the Far North Queensland Alumni

GRAZIER, EURABA PASTORAL. JULIA CREEK AND GEORGETOWN

Bachelor of Applied Science, Construction Management

A breeder with a passion for brahmans Bill is highly interested in constantly improving his family cattle herd and their country. Based on Euraba at Julia Creek they grow out weaners, join heifers and run a small seedstock herd. This is run alongside breeders at Inorunie outside of Georgetown.

With a background in civil engineering Bill has worked on regional projects in NSW and QLD. He now has a strong focus on improving the quality and marketing of the brahman breed. He has recently joined NARBC North West to further his understanding and influence on industry development. Bill is also active in local community work at racing, campdraft and pony camp events.

MANAGER SPRINGFIELD STATION, MOUNT SURPRISE QLD FOR HEWITT PASTORAL ENTERPRISES.

Wife and mother of three, part-time university student studying Bachelor of Science Majoring in Applied Biology, business partner for small full blood wagyu stud and commercial trade female cattle on agistment around the Mt Surprise area. Brandy-Lee has worked as a property manager for the past 3 years. Previously worked in Natural Resource Management, delivering Reef Rescue Water Quality grants prior to starting a family and have always contracted to agribusinesses for stock work etc. Brandy-Lee volunteers for multiple organisations, currently including Mount Surprise Sports and Recreation Club inc. as secretary (2022- Current), Mount Surprise P & C as secretary (2021-Current)

MANAGER, ROCKY CREEK ABATTOIR

With a focus on creating great systems for continuous improvement, Cailan manages the mixed species abattoir that forms an important link in his family’s 60-year-old vertically integrated beef business that distributes to wholesale, restaurant and public customers. Cailan can see the potential of the Atherton Tablelands area to produce industry-leading grass-fed beef and is encouraging this shift through producer education around desired carcass characteristics and building a local grass-fed carcass competition. He is also keen to grow interest in and develop talent for, the red meat industry by developing an interschool meat judging competition and a structured career path for high school leaves in the red meat industry.

BEEF EXTENSION OFFICER, DAF MAREEBA

An advocate for improving production, profitability, and sustainability of the northern beef industry. Emily works closely with northern producers, providing advice and on-property support for best practice management. Emily works to relay information to producers on current and forecasted opportunities/challenges, as well as research relevant to their businesses. Emily is the northern coordinator for the state-wide Grazing Futures Business Resilience Project, secretary for North Queensland’s Beef Research Committee, Coordinator for the current northern cohort in the Advancing Beef Leaders Program and extension support for North Queensland’s Pasture Resilience Project. Emily’s connection on the ground with producers allows the opportunity to provide insight to the industry on behalf of the extensive grazing businesses in which she works.

MANAGER AMBER STATION, MOUNT SURPRISE QLD FOR WERRINGTON CATTLE COMPANY

Dan and his wife Georgia manage a Brahman cross-breeder herd in Far North Queensland. The 4th generational family business runs Breeders in North Queensland and backgrounds all the steers on southern buffle grass property near Alpha. Dan is focused on running a highly profitable business and always looking for ways to improve and implement best practices. Previously Dan spent 10 years in the construction industry as a carpenter, also completing his low rise builder licence. Dan developed many practical skills throughout this time, including Problem-solving, time and technology-driven efficiencies and managing staff and other people. Dan’s Love of the Bush eventually won, leaving construction and working on cattle stations in the Gulf of Carpentaria. Dan later completed his Helicopter Pilots licence and Mustered cattle throughout Western Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia.

Dan is passionate about self-improvement and development and believes it is the key to true success.

OWNER OF LOCHLEA & MERRILANDS STATION

Ian and his wife are beef producers processing cattle from calving to meat works, he is an opportunist in business and aims to be totally self-sufficient in times of drought.

After attending Agricultural collage Ian has worked in various jobs from bull catching, sand mining and prawn farming, and now using that knowledge he has learnt back on the land.

Ian is a family man and is working towards a successful succession plan.

Becoming drought resilient is Ian’s number one priority at the moment and has been working with his peers and industry bodies to help achieve this outcome. Ian has been able to take advantage of working with forward-thinking beef producers through ABL. Ian plans to pass on his learnings to the family through successful family succession.

FACILITATOR, INNER BOSS, DROUGHT RESILIENCE CO-ORDINATOR, GULF SAVANNAH NRM

DipFinPlan, CertIV Small Bus Mgt, JP Qual, DISC Flow Trainer

Lead by curiosity, Kasmin has worked across 10 industries in roles including business administration, governance, financial planning, coaching and facilitation, giving her broad insight into the complexities that face individuals and businesses. Kasmin splits her time between roles at Gulf Savannah NRM, working with her husband and two boys on their Atherton Tablelands beef property, and using her own platform, Inner Boss, to assist corporate and family teams in aspects of team cohesion, emotional intelligence, and building resilience skills. Kasmin has held many committee roles and is currently Secretary for Malanda Beef Plan Group, her local beef producer advocacy and information group, and the Tablelands Sexual Assault Service which provides specialist counselling services to survivors and preventative programs in the community. Her current studies include counselling, effective leadership & well-being in the workplace.

Has formal qualifications in Teaching, mental health and project management.

As the previous Chief Executive Officer, the Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council and Kowanyama cattle company manager is passionate about finding opportunities and purpose for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons to maintain a connection to country. Kate is proud of her Aboriginal/Irish Australian history. She has a 20-year career in Government, mining, health, agriculture and project management. Kate is focused on encouraging young people to take up a purpose in country through education in the agricultural sector. She has held advisory positions across government fuelling her passion for developing an educational precinct in the Cape. In recent months, Kate has teamed up with an amazing group of individuals to develop the concept for the Western Cape College, an educational and research facility in Weipa.

TECHNICAL ADOPTION OFFICER, GULF SAVANNAH NRM GEORGETOWN

A passionate extension officer in the northern rangelands. Keerah is focused on the uptake of on-farm data collection and technology integration for better decision-making. Her current role is to inform, support, influence and implement technologies and innovations for drought preparedness and climate adaptation. Keerah is committed to encouraging and supporting whole-business improvements to manage productivity and profit drivers that increase land conditions and water quality. She is community-minded and has been involved by taking on committee roles in the past for local sporting clubs. Her current focus is to build a network of support to be able to take on larger committee roles or board positions. Her future focus is to be able to give back in a way that was given to her by being an influential role model for emerging industry enthusiasts.

RANGELANDS PROJECT OFFICER, GULF SAVANNAH NRM

Certificate 3 in Agriculture and Animal studies
NQ Climate Mate

Mandy works as a Rangelands Project Officer for Gulf Savannah NRM. In this role Mandy engages with graziers from across the Northern Gulf NRM region of Queensland. Mandys focus is supporting land managers in the adoption of best management practices for sustainability. Mandy is involved in community groups and in the past has had executive roles including Secretary for the P&C and the Croydon Rodeo and Campdraft Association. Mandy lives in Croydon with her husband and three children, where they run a breeder herd of Brahman cross cattle on their property.

SEEDSTOCK PRODUCER, RED ROCK STATION

DipPsych, DipBus, DipTrainAssessSys, MAHRI

Mentored and working with global leaders in reproduction, endocrinology and genetics from a young age, stimulated Lara’s keen interest in producing functional adapted brahmans, focusing on key commercial traits directly correlated to profitability in the beef business. Lara also an experienced Human Resources professional, held senior leadership management positions with several global mining and corporate agriculture companies. Her work specialised in executive leadership coaching and developing cultural transformation frameworks, focussed on people-centred alignment strategies to meet production goals and cost efficiencies. She has held various community group committee positions, was appointed Chair of the Board (Education) and currently Agforce Council for North Queensland.