Bill Newton
• General Manager
After Hours: 03 5884 6608
Facsimile: 03 5884 6701
Mobile: 0427 846 601
Email:bnewton@fsfalkiner.com.au

Bill Newton’s career background and agricultural management experience is a solid base for his diverse role of Bell Group Rural General Manager.

Having jackarooed at Coonong Merino Stud at Urana and then Cobran Station at Hay, Bill returned to Overseer at Coonong for 6 years under the well known Stud Master Ian Kinross. When Ian was made Group Manager, Bill spent a further 2 years as Manager of Coonong, before again returning to Cobran to take up the Manager’s position there. Five years into this role, a change in the ownership structure led to the purchase of the additional properties Nulabor, Merriola and Tabratong, bringing the total holding under Bill’s direction to 77,000 acres. In addition to developing the Cobran aggregation into Australia’s largest rice growing operation, the Cobran business incorporated 15,000 very good Merino sheep, steer backgrounding and winter cropping activities.

Arriving at FSF in May 2003, Bill has had the challenge of guiding the Bell Group Rural business through a succession of drought years whilst ensuring the business continues to develop and position itself to maximize returns.

Justin Campbell
• Boonoke Operations Manager
After hours: 03 5884 6669
Mobile: 0427 262 956
Email:jcampbell@fsfalkiner.com.au

Whilst a newcomer to FSF, Justin’s 3 year management role with Bell Group Rural at Burrabogie and more than a decade of employment at the Uardry Merino Stud that included 5 years in the Assistant Manager’s role has primed Justin for the position of Boonoke Operations Manager.

Having obtained an Advanced Certificate in Animal Production at Longreach Pastoral College after finishing school, Justin spent 2 years at the 95,000 acre Weewondilla Station at Muttaburra, Qld before starting work at Uardry in 1993, variously filling the roles of Senior Jackaroo, Stud Groom and Stud Overseer leading up to his Assistant Manager’s position. Whilst at Uardry, in addition to management, Justin had extensive experience with stud breeding programs, artificial breeding activities, preparation of show and sale sheep, ram selections, client liaison and sheep judging.

Justin moved to Burrabogie in 2005, fulfilling the role of Livestock Manager for the Burrabogie commercial Merino flock and cattle herd. Justin’s involvement at Burrabogie was characterized by significant property improvements despite steadily declining seasonal conditions as the drought took hold.

Justin is now responsible for the day to day management of the FSF Stud operation and the commercial breeding activities based at ‘Boonoke’. Justin works closely with the FSF General Manager and FSF Stud Master to continue the gains achieved in the FSF Stud flocks that have subsequently had such a positive impact on the productive characteristics of the Bell Group Rural sheep.

Forbes Murdoch
• FSF Stud Master
Home: 02 6682 6246
Facsimile: 02 6682 6247
Mobile: 0408 632 396

Raised at Terrick Terrick Stud at Blackall, where his Father was Manager, Forbes was educated at The Southport School. Forbes started his career at “Athol”, Blackall working for Henry Cox for 18 months until he went to jackaroo at Haddon Rig Merino Stud under the management of AB Ramsey in May 1960. In 1963, Haddon Rig promoted Forbes to manage their newly established Stud in Western Australia where he remained for 12 years. In June 1975 Forbes and his family were moved back to Haddon Rig, Warren, NSW where Forbes remained the Manager until his retirement in June 2001.

Forbes interrupted his retirement to join FSF in 2001 to class the Boonoke Merino Stud, his role expanding to encompass implementation of the breeding objectives across all of the FSF stud flocks in 2004 when he became the FSF Stud Master. Confirming the progress made at the FSF Studs in targeting the Merino industry’s requirements, and Forbes’ reputation as a leading Merino breeding identity, was the sashing of B6.124 as the Australian Supreme Merino Ram in 2008. Additionally, FSF had the Supreme Exhibit at the National Sheep Show (Dubbo) in 2004, 2007 and 2008; the Champion Medium Wool March Shorn Ram at the National Sheep Show in 2006, 2007 and 2008; and the 1st placed ram in the National Sheep Show Performance Class for the four successive years 2005 – 2008.

Chris Bowman
• Bell Group Rural Sheep Classer
Home: 02 6993 4771
Mobile: 0429 935 101
Email:chris.bowman@westnet.com.au

Entrusted with the classing of the Bell Group Rural's three commercial flocks, which encompasses 20,000 young ewes annually, Chris Bowman also has a consultative role with the FSF Studs focusing on client servicing.

Having developed an interest in livestock and breeding on the family property at Guyra, Chris spent three years jackarooing at Uardry, Hay before travelling to South Africa to study that Merino industry for a couple of months, returning to work on Burenda at Augathella, Queensland.

When Burenda was sold in 1982, Chris accepted Hugh Lydiard’s offer of the Sub Overseer role at Egelabra and the opportunity to understudy to Ken Hannah and Bill Bailey. Chris was to remain at Egelabra for 8 years, progressing to the Manager’s role at Eenaweena, Egelabra’s ram depot. During this time Chris established a client base of 45, selecting 600 rams annually.

Chris returned to Uardry as Manager in 1989, establishing himself as a leading Merino Stud Breeder during his 18 years at the Stud.

Now focusing on his own professional classing and consultancy business, Chris has a significant role with FSF and is available to assist FSF clients with breeding objectives, classing and ram selections.

Central Queensland

Scott Counsell
“Lyndon”, Barcaldine
Home: 07 4651 2384
Fax: 07 4651 2624
Mobile: 0427 512 384

West Wyalong / Ungarie

Frank Navin
Home: 02 6975 9101