Beef Australia Limited has announced a series of board changes following its Annual General Meeting last week.
Chairman Geoff Murphy, vice-chairman Geoff Maynard and board member David Warriner retired at the AGM, while existing board members Carol Ellrott, James MacLean and Jenny Russell successfully stood stood for re-election.
The vacancies caused by the three retiring board members were filled by Ken Murphy, Noel Grant and Chris Todd (profiles below).
Following the AGM office bearers on the new Beef Australia board are:
- Chairman: Blair Angus
- Vice-chair: Joy Deguara
- Vice chair: Jenny Russell
- Treasurer: Bryce Camm
- Secretary: Ken Murphy
The new Beef Australia board will work towards organising the next three-yearly Beef Australia expo in Rockhampton, scheduled for May 4-9 in 2015.
BEEF AUSTRALIA PROFILES:
Blair Angus – Chairman
Blair is the owner and manager of Angus Pastoral Company running 35,000 cattle across four properties in Central and Northern Queensland involving breeding, backgrounding and lotfeeding.
He has also developed Signature Beef a vertically integrated, wholesaling and beef marketing company taking the company's product through to the consumer. The company's four beef brands, Kimberley Red, Angus Pastoral, Sondella and Boss are now enjoyed in 24 countries.
Signature Beef has grown to not only market all of the prime cattle produced by Angus Pastoral Co but also service processes for other producers and has become a significant wholesaler of beef products. With wife Josie, and their four children, the family has a passion for all facets of the beef industry. Blair was previously Vice Chairman since 2003.
Ken Murphy – Secretary
Ken has extensive experience in the cattle industry. Ken is currently employed as the Senior Beef Extension Officer for the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry – Capricornia Region. Ken is also currently Secretary for the Central Queensland Beef Research Committee.
Ken, who holds a Bachelor Degree from Gatton College, was first employed by CSIRO in Kununurra in the Kimberleys before moving to Clermont to work for King Ranch at Elgin Downs for 5 years. After a few years on the family property, Ken moved to Richmond, north Queensland, with the Department Primary Industries and transferred to Rockhampton in 1987.
Ken has been closely involved with Beef Australia since 1988 and has held management committee (pre Board) positions for Beef 1991 and Secretary Beef 1994.
At recent Expos, Ken has used his extensive knowledge of Central Queensland in his role as Chairman of the Property Tours Sub-Committee and also assisted the Consumer Education Sub-Committee.
Noel Grant – Board Member
Noel offers over 45 years of experience in the cattle industry as a Livestock Agent.
Noel was the founding Managing Director of Grant, Daniel & Long, one of Australia’s most successful private Agents operation with 14 branches throughout South West Queensland – selling and marketing of over 200,000 cattle per year.
The quick rise, respect of and success of GDL by growing a fledgling business into 14 branches within such a short time frame has been very much influenced by his demonstrated business, financial and leadership skills.
Noel was also a founding Director of the Australia Livestock and Property Agent Association National Board as well as serving the ALPA Queensland State Chairman.
Chris Todd – Board Member
Since 2003, Chris has been working in the rural real estate industry, working for Raine & Horne, Colliers International and for the last 4 years, running his own real estate and livestock business, Todd Rural.
Chris has extensive and diverse experience in the cattle industry holding various positions:
- Feedlot Industry: General Manager of Mort & Co for three years (2001 to 2003), based in Toowoomba.
- Meat Industry: 3 years (1999 to 2001) as Livestock Manager for Consolidated Meat Group, based in Rockhampton.
- Stock and Station Agent: 22 years, 1976 to 1999, working in Brisbane, Roma, Blackall, St George, Injune, Dirranbandi, Charleville and Rockhampton.
- Last two positions as State Real Estate Manager and Livestock Manager for Primac Elders.
Chris has close relationships with Beef Australia, since its inception in 1988, with 6 years (2000 to 2006) as a Board Member, holding the Treasurer’s position in 2003 and Vice Chairman in 2006.
The bew Beef Australia Board is:
- Blair Angus Chairman
- Joy Deguara Vice Chair
- Jenny Russell Vice Chair
- Bryce Camm Treasurer
- Ken Murphy Secretary
- Larry Acton Board Member
- Carol Ellrott Board Member
- Noel Grant Board Member
- Brett Kirk Board Member
- James McLean Board Member
- Chris Todd Board Member