Managing Director, JM Kelly Group of Companies

Geoff moved to Rockhampton from Toowoomba when he was 20 to start his own construction firm. His company JM Kelly (Project Builders) Pty Ltd is now 5th largest commercial builder in Queensland and the 17th largest privately owned company in Queensland. Geoff has been a director of Beef Australia since 2000 and the Chairman of Beef Australia for the period 2003-2009.  Geoff also operates two commercial beef cattle properties in Central Queensland - “Rivervale”, South Yaamba and “Durando” at St Lawrence. Running a total of 2,500 head Geoff breeds Brahman X cows over Santa Gertrudis bulls with background and fattening undertaken at “Durando”. A hands-on executive, Geoff continues to develop his cattle operations at every opportunity.

Geoff is recognised widely for his contributions to the expansion of Queensland’s economy and has been appointed to several building industry associations, government counselling bodies and advisory groups across the state. A strong believer in community involvement and service he has advised state and federal government officials on the needs of small business, large private-sector organisation and regional and rural providers.

“Kimberley”, Clermont, Queensland

Blair owns and manages four beef cattle breeding and fattening properties running 30,000 head. He has gained a thorough knowledge all of facets of the beef industry, developing his own vertically integrated beef company retaining ownership of product through to the consumer under the brand name Kimberly Red.  Kimberley Red is exported to customers in Japan, China and Europe. Kimberley Red supplies leading restaurants, business clubs and butchers along Australia’s eastern seaboard. Blair also has a close association with the Mackay Regional Show, being a member of the Beef Cattle Committee, a carcase steward and exhibitor for many years.  Blair has been Vice Chair of Beef Australia for the period 2003-2009.

"Mt Eugene", Jambin, queensland

Geoff Maynard has been operating the family seed stock business at 'Mt Eugene' Jambin for the past 25 years. Geoff has grown up in the Central Queensland area, schooling at St Brendan’s College and then obtaining a Bachelor of Business Marketing degree at USQ externally. For thirty years the Maynard’s operated a Belmont Red stud, and more recently have expanded their interests in Senepols, conducting an annual 5 STAR SENEPOL sale at Gracemere each September.

Geoff has been involved with every Beef expo since 1988, whether it be displaying stud cattle, trade fair sites, or participation in the great debates.  Geoff was Secretary of Beef Australia for the period 2006 - 2009.

Wonga Plains feedlot, Dalby, Queensland

Bryce Camm hails from Dalby in Queensland’s Darling Downs region where he oversees his family’s farming and feedlotting operations as part of the greater Camm Agricultural Group; an integrated beef enterprise with interests across Queensland. Bryce has been managing the group’s Wonga Plains Feedlot for four years and has overseen the operation triple in size. He is also responsible for marketing the turnoff from the group’s operations. Growing up on “Natal Downs” in North Queensland Bryce undertook a dual degree in Business Administration and Communications at Bond University before returning to north for a time prior to moving to the feedlot.

Bryce was a founding member of the Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland’s Future Directions Committee and chaired this committee from 2007 to 2009.   Bryce has attended every Beef Expo since 1991. He has assisted with the stud cattle from 2003 and was a Youth Ambassador Finalist in the inaugural year of the competition at Beef 2003. Prior to Beef Australia 2009 he was co-opted onto the Beef Australia Ltd Board in 2008 and looks forward to serving the 2009 - 2012 period as Treasurer.

"Simla", Nebo, queensland

Joy Deguara is an active partner in the management of a family run commercial and stud cattle business - Hamdenvale Brahmans - in the Nebo district of Central Queensland where the family have had grazing interests for about 30 years. In recent times the focus on the stud business has changed to now being predominantly interested in using international genetics, providing the opportunity to develop experience in sourcing, and attempting to sell, genetics in overseas countries.  Although her primary interest is in agriculture, she is involved in the management of her family's off farm business interests.

Joy has been involved in previous Beef Expos including the Conferences and Seminars committee for Beef 2000 and a
Director for 2006-2009. She also had a close involvement with Australian Women in Agriculture Ltd, the peak body for women in agriculture in Australia and more recently the Agforce State Council.

“Big House”, Morinish, queensland

Carol lives at ”Big House” Morinish, where she has been an active partner in their business. She bacame involved in Beef Australia as a member of the first Consumer Education Committee in 1995. She has a driving force behind the growth of the Consumer Education programme. She has coordinated chefs and helped extensively with the Kids in the Kitchen competition. In 2005 Carol traveled to Sydney to the Royal Show for a fact-finding mission to help enhance the consumer education component of Beef Australia.

Carol’s family is also committed to Beef Australia and the beef industry and has participated in a variety of ways at the Expos , including hosting two property tours and entering in stud and commercial cattle competitions.

“Swan Hill ”, Blackall, queensland

Jenny is a partner in Swan Hill Cattle Co, a family cattle business comprising a Santa Gertrudis Stud and a commercial cattle business both based in central western Queensland.  A supporter of the Beef Expo since its inception, Jenny has participated in Beef Australia as a stud exhibitor and as a trade exhibitor.

Jenny is also a member of the Telstra Country Wide Advisory Board and was appointed Chair of the Board in February 2005.  She has been a strong advocate for regional Australia participating in the Regional Australia Summit in 1999 and was a member of the inaugral Regional Women's Advisory Council in 1999 - 2002.

Managing Director of Capricorn RPM Pty Ltd

David is the Founder and Managing Director of Capricorn RPM Pty Ltd, a Rockhampton based rural advisory and business administration service. Until February 2006 David was the General Manager of Alice Springs Pastoral Company, a certified organic cattle producer based in Central Queensland with 20,000 cattle, and a cattle and sheep enterprise in the Snowy Mountains in NSW.

David has over 20 years of experience in the Beef Cattle industry working in both the processing and pastoral sectors marketing meat and managing some of Australia’s largest pastoral holdings.  He is founding partner and Chairman of Country Wide News Pty Ltd, the owner of the three major news agencies in Rockhampton. David is also on the Board of Directors of the Biological Farmers of Australia and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Toowoomba, Queensland

James is the Managing Director of Allied Beef.  Allied Beef is a progressive cattle company with the primary focus of producing premium and consistent backgrounded feeder cattle that meet customer specifications. The company achieves this objective with economies of scale through working closely with property partners in diverse regions of Australia.

James is also a director of Wambo Lot Feeders, a custom lot feeding business located at Wambo Feedlot, Dalby. The feedlot feeds domestic and export cattle destined for premium grain finished markets in Australia. Over the past 20 years, James has gained extensive experience across all areas of the beef supply chain, having held roles in finance, lot feeding and agricultural business development.

"Riverview", Blackwater, Queensland

Larry Acton and his wife Beth have developed “ Riverview” at Blackwater from a raw block of Brigalow scrub into an impressive cattle property running a herd of outstanding Braford cattle. Larry has made a significant contribution in the broader community holding leadership positions at regional, state, and national levels in cattle and farm organisations including the Cattle Council of Australia and National Farmers Federation.  While President of the United Grazier’s Association in the mid to late nineties, he discussed with other industry leaders the possibility of merging with the Cattlemen’s Union and the Queensland Graingrowers Association to form a unified broadacre farm group for all of Queensland. AgForce Queensland came into being in 1999, with Larry as the inaugural General President.

"Blackwood", Middlemount, Queensland

Brett Kirk, along with his wife Susan and family operate a stud and commercial cattle operation in central Queensland and the south Burnett. Brett is a fourth generation cattleman who, in his lifetime, has seen many changes in the industry.  Brett has been a Councillor on the Australian Brahman Breeders Association for 19 years of which he has served as President for 3 years and has been Chairman of the Rockhampton Brahman Week sale committee for 10 years. Brett also served as Chairman of the Stud Cattle Committee for Beef 94 and has followed the progress of the Expo through his involvement as an exhibitor, judge and through breed related activities.