Claire Mactaggart (nee Wyland, RGS 1992) talks about her passion for the land and the opportunities it has provided.

“I never take for granted where we live.” That outlook on life continues to take Claire Mactaggart (nee Wyland, RGS 1992) towards new opportunities, her most recent being on the Board of Directors for Beef Australia 2021 (2 – 8 May). Claire and her husband Andrew oversee beef properties in Central Queensland, along with their four daughters. Claire also continues on a 14-year journey as the Queensland contributing writer for Country Style magazine. “You always make time for the things you love,’’ she said. Claire was one of five children growing up at “Mona Vale”, north of Yaamba. “I was a hands-on child. I grew up mustering, helping with any jobs on the property,’’ Claire adds. She now calls “Balcomba” home, a cattle property 43km north of Duaringa which Andrew oversees along with their other breeding and backgrounding properties, “Angle Creek” which is north of “Balcomba” and “Wirranda”, over two-hours south of the family home. The RGS connections are also close at hand. Past student Alistair Corr (RGS 1995) manages “Wirranda” while Emmeline Elder (RGS 2014) is a governess to Andrew and Claire’s youngest daughters, Sarah and Grace, who learn via distance education. From her rural location, 150kms west of Rockhampton, Claire is able to contribute to the editorial team at Country Style, as well as other publications. “It’s important to me to share with people all the great things about living in the country. I feel so lucky to have this off-farm job where I meet people from all over Australia. It’s about celebrating the diversity of regional life.” Being part of Beef Australia is a chance for Claire to learn new skills and contribute to showcasing the wider beef industry. “Everyone at Beef Australia has been very supportive and I am enjoying the process of working together in the lead-up to the ’21 event. It’s a big collaboration, made possible by the time and dedication of all those involved.” Beef Australia events are always massive to organise, let alone having to deal with worldwide COVID-19

challenges. Claire said despite the challenges they are “proceeding with confidence”. “The event is on track. As always, there’s a lot of good will and a big desire to make it a success. A lot of people come together and feel ownership of being a part of the Beef Australia celebration.” Claire has attended the events since its inception in 1988 and in 2018 joined the Property Tours committee, headed by another RGS past student Scott McCartney (RGS 1979). “They are a popular part of the Beef Australia programme and sell out quite quickly. I gained an insight at 2018 how that all worked,’’ said Claire, who is still involved in the 2021 property tours, working alongside various committee members including Rockhampton Regional Council Tourism Co-ordinator Zac Garven (RGS 2001). “People generously host the property tours, allowing others to visit and ask questions about their business, land and management. It’s a great way to learn from others and experience another production system.”

“Even if you’re not directly associated with the beef industry you can come along to the event in Rockhampton, learn about the industry and make a connection with the people who help grow our food. We want the local community to be involved and for people to come to Rockhampton and have a great experience.” Being a part of Beef Australia has also allowed Claire, who studied Agribusiness at the University of Queensland’s Gatton campus, then later post graduate studies in business administration, to continue her learning journey of life on the land. “I’ve learnt so much being a part of this family beef business. We have a great team and are using regenerative grazing principles to improve our land and beef enterprise,’’ Claire said. “I never take for granted where we live. Every time when I’m out in the paddock I think wow this is our home. Everything about it is beautiful. You can see change and be part of it, which is really wonderful.”