Meet the Northern Queensland Alumni

OWNER & MANAGER OF AMALLEKA PASTORAL & KC MECHANICAL AND MAINTENANCE

Alana grew up in Central Queensland, starting off working life in the retail and hospitality industries. She worked in the Exploration Department at Dawson Mine. After the birth of her two children, her focus changed to be back on the land. With the help of family, there was an opportunity to make this happen. 2019 family circumstances meant Alana undertook managing the family business as a 5th generation farmer. Learning the ropes from the ground up. Implementing learnings from the “RSC Grazing for Profits” course, to be more sustainable across the business. She started her own business with a small Murray Grey herd and a Mobile Mechanical Business with her husband. Trying her hand with other livestock she quickly learnt her passion lay with the cattle and land health. Alana now focuses her energy full time on her own businesses, family, and community. By building more positive lifestyles with importance on mental health, family time, and local fundraising commitments and self-development. Recently completed the “QRRR Embracing Leadership Program”. Moving forward she wants to improve soil health, develop, and improve farming practices to become more sustainable, raising her children to motivate them to be part of the next generation on the land.

BRANCH MANAGER ELDERS MOURA AND THEODORE

BASc (animal Studies), M.S.(Animal science & Management)

Brendan has a passion for animal production throughout northern Australia and works with businesses to improve and maximize production and profitability. Brendan's career includes roles in Animal Nutrition & supplement formulation, Sales, Animal Health, Animal ID and Fencing. Brendan started the ABL program working with a Non-bank Lender focused on the Agricultural industry before a change in conditions saw Brendan take up the role of Branch Manager for Elders Moura and Theodore, where there is also a Saleyards and dipping facility located. The ABL program has already been useful in the new role with Brendan having to pick the reins up of a long-term business and continue into the role. Family life is rather busy as well with Brendan's wife working part-time as a veterinarian whilst also raising three young boys. As a family, they are looking to own/operate a Vet clinic and start into their own cattle business.

BEEF EXTENSION OFFICER, DAF AND BEEF PRODUCER

BAppSc, Major in Production Animal Science

Cindy’s interest in the beef industry is reflected in both her professional and personal life. Having worked for the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) for 15 years, Cindy has serviced the beef industry across various roles which include beef extension, animal biosecurity and research. In addition to her DAF career, Cindy owns and manages a small herd of full-blood wagyu. With a passion for biosecurity, Cindy is focused on building capability across the beef industry and the wider community to prepare for and manage biosecurity risks. This has been demonstrated through her position on the Beef Australia Stud Cattle Committee (2018-current), where she has developed and implemented Beef Australia’s Biosecurity Plan.

CATTLE PRODUCER MALANDA FNQ

David operates his family cattle property of 140 Brangus breeders where he sells their calves as weaners onto the local market. During a career in the Australian Army spanning over 20 years, David gained many skill sets including Special Forces Operator, GIS Technician, and later as a Plant Operator and was deployed on multiple overseas operations. After the military David followed his goal of working with cattle, he was told “the best way to learn cattle is to become a dairy farmer”, so he did. Initially working on a dairy, he moved up to share farming and managing the whole operation. After nearly 5 years without a day off, David transitioned over to Beef, though he still looks after some dairy farms part-time.

David’s focus is to produce high-quality cattle and is passionate about the local cattle industry thriving. He holds a key position with a local regional beef producer group and is also on the committee of Subtropical Dairy FNQ.

When David is not working cattle, he loves spending his time with his young family Kirra 11, Leah 9, and Darcy 7 playing the odd game of backyard cricket, soccer, or riding dirt bike

ASSISTANT OPERATIONAL MANAGER - DANIELS PASTORAL HOLDINGS

BBus, GradCertAg

After growing up around Injune and then working in the financial services industry in Brisbane, Harry has now been involved in the Northwest Queensland cattle industry for the past 5 years. Interested in improving business efficiencies, Harry has experience in business administration, financial modelling & analysis, genetic evaluation, livestock management software and project management. Harry is grateful for the lifestyle that working in agriculture provides to families in the industry. Harry is focused on improving business productivity so that additional time and financial resources can be spent with family. He is actively involved in the community and is the Secretary of the Cloncurry & District Race Club (2021-Present).

HEAD STOCKMAN

AAco

Henry grew up on a property in the Inverell area, involved in the basics of cropping and livestock management from an early age, within his family’s business operation. After completing school in Toowoomba, Henry moved to north Qld to Canobie Station- a large aggregation owned by AA Co. After working in the stock camp for two years, Henry progressed into the Head Stockman role. He is now in the second year of this role, where he works alongside the leadership team of the property; mustering and processing livestock and developing young staff in property operational skills- with a high focus on, livestock management, animal health and welfare and property safety.

RELATIONSHIP MANAGER, SUNCORP AGRIBUSINESS ROMA

BCom, C.Dec, 2023 ABIF

A passionate agribusiness manager aimed at assisting pastoral families in long-term profitable businesses. Jack’s emerging career has included time on-farm and in finance, complimented by community involvement in local charitable and sporting organisations. Jack is focused on access to finance for all beef producers & ensuring the next generation of beef producers can realise their dream of land ownership.

PRINCIPAL CREE SANTA GERTRUDIS STUD, “KIAH” THANGOOL

A hands-on beef producer with the foundation of Cree Santa Gertrudis Stud, established in 2000. A partner in a successful family business, involved in all aspects of beef cattle breeding systems focusing on lifting performance in beef operation herds through the delivery of superior performing genetic selection. Jo’s role has been project manager of the Cree Bull Sale and associated Information days since 2014. Jo is currently involved in a Profitable Genetics benchmarking Group with Bush Agri-Businessv(2021- current). Jo’s future focus is to provide a hands-on learning environment and offer experience on the farm to those requiring practical knowledge in managing and collecting data to achieve genetic gain. This is reflected in her past and present involvement with SGBA Junior Show (2004-2010), SGBA Performance Committee(current), and Member Breed plan (2001-current).

LIVESTOCK SYSTEMS

AAco

Kate has been involved in the beef industry all her life growing up on a sheep and cattle property in Quilpie, Queensland. She then moved north and worked on various stations throughout the NT, which led her into the live export industry in Darwin. Currently, she works in the livestock systems team for the Australian Agricultural Company (AACo). Her experience working in several areas of the cattle industry has led her to focus on strengthening relationships across all stakeholders within the beef industry.

RURAL FINANCIAL COUNSELLOR, RFCSNQ/RAPAD

MEc(AgResec), BEd(Sec), DFinCouns(Rural), TAE

A fifth-generation grazier, Natalie’s love and appreciation of agriculture, especially Brahman cattle, has been cultivated since birth and reflected in her current roles as a Rural Financial Counsellor and Program Lead for RAPAD’s contribution to the Grazing Futures LBR project, after a previous career as a secondary teacher and post-grad researcher. Natalie has contributed to national drought and disaster policy, is an MLA Red Meat Ambassador and is the Deputy Chair of Southern Gulf NRM (2021 – current). She continues to be keenly interested in agricultural and environmental policy and is an ardent proponent for ongoing business development and the promotion of Australian beef.

YARRADEN & CRYSTAL VALE STATIONS MANAGER, CAPE YORK

Grew up in the mid-north coast of New South Wales, on small-scale cattle and fish farming properties.

Begun as a station hand in stock camps working from the Kimberly’s across to the Katherine and Darwin up to the tip of QLD and back down to Roma, worked my way up to a leading hand role then head stockman and was recently promoted again to station manager here in Cape York. The current focus is the commercial breeding of brahman herds and the future focus is to improve overall herd productivity in the most northern and tropical environments.