The Twin Town’s and Oxton Park’s very own Jack O’Connor has been announced as a finalist in the Zanda McDonald Award. “I got a bit of a shock. I didn’t think I’d get that far but it’s a pleasant surprise.
“It’s not necessarily all your big wins or anything like that. It’s a combination of your experience and the different things throughout all your career and then also centred around your passions in agriculture.
“Part of the application process was you had to submit a semi written report in smaller sections and answer a few questions about why you would benefit from the award and what your passions are and your plans for the future and how you have influenced or added value to the agriculture industry.
“Zanda McDonald was a well known pastoralist from Queensland who put a lot of time into training up young people and really encouraging young people into the industry.
“We try and employ a lot of people at Oxton Park that are different ages. It’s the people who have come before me who have helped me get here.
“It’s a bit like a mentoring scholarship. There’s a tailored program and access to some funding at the end to do different courses and if you do win, you get a mentoring trip around different businesses in Australia and New Zealand.
“We had the interview and application process through October and got down to the final five and had an interview last Monday and I was fortunate to make the top three.
“I was surprised because of the calibre of the other two finalists in the top five. They are impressive people and the other two that are in the top three are doing some pretty amazing things.
“I think I’m very very humbled and honoured to be representing our company and our family and all the people and hardworking people out here.
“As diversity comes, my role sits in the livestock part and also the administration side of the business as well and touching on a couple of different aspects of the cropping side too.
“The day to day operations depend on the year. This time of the year is very much harvest focussed with the operations of that side of it taking precedence, but with these wet years we have just had a big run of drenching and jetting sheep off the back of all this rain.
“We’ve been turning off lambs since about September. What used to be quite a condensed selling period with multiple joinings and different value adding things we do and the livestock side, it has become year round now.
“Another big part of my submission was my passion for the people in our industry. I love working with great people right through our supply chains and networks.
“I’m a big advocate for farmers and the red meat industry in particular.
“A big aspect was how we attract and retain really good people in our industry and how important it is to build the right culture within companies. This takes time. You have to viciously seek those that align with your values.
“There’s so much opportunity within agriculture at the moment and it’s such an exciting time. How we make, improve and manage our environmental footprint will continue to be an important part.
“We put a huge emphasis on sustainability across everyone we do and it’s of great importance.
“Technology will have a huge role to play in this. New spaces like carbon farming are still new and there’s still a lot to digest but it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be arming ourselves with the right information and ask the big questions.
“Farmers put their life, blood, sweat and tears into what they do. How we market our products to the world is so important. What we produce here is the best in the world and even better, people want to hear the story and be part of that journey with the farmers.”
Asked if there was going to be a cameo return to the Harden Red Devils at some stage, Jack joked “as a coach you always try and leave before they want you gone.”
Jack was a highly skilled player and excellent man manager who dragged his squad along with him and gave them a sense of belief.
“I think they have a fantastic thing in there with the rugby at the minute. Charlie Brown, Jack Alcorn and Rosie Fairfield-Smith and everyone else on the committee are doing a fantastic job and if I can speak on behalf of myself and Ben Lenehan, Harry Sachs and Chris Ryan, some of the guys that have done it in past years, we look very proudly back on our time but also how much it’s gone on to greater heights since then.
“I love putting my hand up to wherever they need me and I will be doing my next level referee course over the next few months just to ensure that I feel a bit more confident to jump in and ref a few more games when they need me.
“The rugby side of it is going so good and that is another big testament to them and attracting great young people back to community and bringing everyone together around community sports. Jack is living off grid on his property with an excellent array of panels and batteries with work completed by Todd Basham on the solar and James Price in the construction area to name but a few.