August 31, 2020
Terry Nolan, from export meat processors Nolan Meats, has been named a Queensland #eatqld Champion.
Agriculture Minister Mark Furner said Mr Nolan had been chosen for his and his family’s more than 60 years of service to the beef industry.
“Nolan Meats is a 100 per cent Australian, family-owned company founded as a small retail butchery business in Gympie in 1958,” Mr Furner said.
“Since that time, they have grown to become Gympie’s largest private employer, producing quality grainfed beef for retailers, further processors, wholesalers and international markets.”
The company operates the Wide Bay Feedlot at Cinnabar, between Goomeri and Kilkivan.
“Nolan Meats is synonymous with quality having won several prestigious awards including the Premier of Queensland Exporter of the Year in 2011, the DAFF Biosecurity Award in 2012, the NAB Agri Business Exporter of the Year in 2012, and, in 2011, was a finalist in the Australian Export Awards,” Mr Furner said.
The Nolan Meats story began in 1958, when Pat and Marie Nolan founded a small retail butchery business in Gympie. In 1964, they added a small country abattoir to the business.
Terry Nolan said the #eatqld Champion award recognised a family tradition of meat processing and retailing.
“I am one small part in our family business that was formed by my father Pat and late mother Marie and the load is now shared with my brothers Michael and Terry,” Mr Nolan said.
“Nolan Meats’ fundamental principle is to take every opportunity to be innovative and to promote the benefits of Queensland grown beef and produce.
“To be named an #eatqld Champion fits perfectly with that principle, and I am humbled that our family business has received this recognition.”
Mr Furner said the State Government’s #eatqld campaign encouraged the community to eat local, stay healthy and support jobs in the State’s agricultural sector.
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AgForce cattle president Will Wilson has also been named an #eatqld Champion.
Mr Furner said Mr Wilson had been chosen for his significant contribution to Queensland’s cattle industry which began in 1977 and included developing innovative herd tracking software.
“Will Wilson is a fourth generation cattle producer at his family owned Calliope Station, a manager at the Calliope Machine and Hire Company, Director at Australian Beef Logistics, AgForce cattle president since 2014, and founder and director of MANDRA which he established to change the way rural people record and portray their information.
“In 2015, Will developed the innovative the iHerd data tracking software and has been a keen and early adopter of technology which can change and evolve the way producers get their product from the paddock to the plate.
“Will’s passionate advocacy for Queensland’s beef cattle industry is truly inspirational as we unite and recover from the economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and they will be fine ambassadors promoting Queensland’s world of flavour from the state of delicious.”
