Company: Mactaggarts
Date Opened: 1934
First Manager: George Trimm (Company Representative)
These Primac Guru’s have contributed to the Eidsvold Branch history: Neil Donaldson, Vic Perkins and Jerry O’Sullivan from the Primac Gurus Facebook group.
George Trimm was the first Mactaggarts representative stationed in Eidsvold. An office was opened in 1935 with Con Clifford as the manager. Con is Tim Clifford’s (RIP) father.
1934
George Trimm, Local Representative
1935 – 1946 (First office opened)
Con Clifford, Branch Manager (Tim Cliffords father)
1946 – 1947
Bob McWhinney, Branch Manager
1947 – 1956
Jack Stevens, Branch Manager
1956 – 1957
Jim Heading, Branch Manager
“A photo from the first Eidsvold Station Santa Gertrudis Bull sale at Mactaggarts yards in 1957. Photo caption from left Jim Heading (auctioneer), Trevor Maguire (Ipswich manager), Barney Joyce, Arthur Bassingthwaighte, and Doug Mactaggart.“
Photo – Jerry O’Sullivan
1957
Trevor McGuire, Branch Manager
1957 – 1961
Reg Evans, Branch Manager
1961 – 1970
Alan Walker, Branch Manager
1968 – 1969
Alan Walker, Branch Manager
Alec Reiser, Stock Sales
Bruce Vidgen, Stock Sales
Vic Perkins, Stock Sales (Came from Cannon Hill to ‘Camboon Station’ for 3 months to do the Mactaggarts ‘Apprenticeship Scheme’, then had a short stint in Eidsvold Branch, before being transferred to Mackay Branch)
Pat Bishop, Office / Accounts
1970 – 1975 Mactagartts
Peter Collins, Branch Manager
1975-1979 Primaries Mactagartts
Peter Collins, Branch Manager
1980
Peter Collins, Branch Manager
Brad A Gunn, Stock Sales
1981
Peter Collins, Branch Manager
Brad A Gunn, Stock Sales
1982
Peter Collins, Branch Manager
1983 – 1986
Steve Groom, Branch Manager (transferred in from Stock Sales role at Murgon Branch) Murray Otto, Merchandise
Aileen Oehm, Office / Accounts
Murray Otto reflects on his time at Eidsvold.
“My first job after leaving Gatton Ag College was at Primac Eidsvold, where I was employed as a Merchandise Salesman. I was 20 years old and knew nothing. The long term secretary, Aileen Oehm took me under her wing, and put me on the right path. The Manager was Steve Groom. Steve fought hard to have a large merchandise shed built at the rear of the office. The turnover at the end of 1984, when I started was approximately K$200 per year.
Steve Groom had the vision to significantly grow the merchandise business throughout the entire North Burnett region. I was fortunate to be given a ute for canvassing farmers and graziers in the region. Within two years we had grown the business to a turnover of several million dollars. We were servicing some of the biggest citrus growers in the southern hemisphere, along with peanuts and grain crops in the Binjour, Coalson Lakes and Monto districts, as well as traditional grazier clients.
Looking back at my time, I would like to thank Steve Groom for his patience with me, as a junior, and Aileen Oehm, who was always there to support and cover for me when I made mistakes. Great vision and a great team, I was very fortunate to have this start in my working life”. Contributed by Murray Otto (October 2022)
1986
Neil Donaldson, Branch Manager
David Buckley, Stock Sales (Transferred in from Blackall Branch and resigned from the company to work at Elders Eidsvold)
Tony Dunn, Stock Sales (Transferred out to Toowoomba Branch or Ipswich Branch)
Lance Fox, Stock Sales
Aileen Oehm, Office / Accounts
Some Trainees Neil Donaldson can remember in his time Vince Booth, Kelly Payne & Murray Otto
Listed below is a newspaper clipping of the staff at Primac Eidsvold in 1986, including Manager, Neil Donaldson, Stock, Lance Fox, Merchandise, Troy Leisch, and Accounts, Aileen Oehm. Article courtesy of Murray Otto, September 2022
1987
Neil Donaldson, Branch Manager
Lance Fox, Stock Sales
Aileen Oehm, Office / Accounts
Primac’s 50th anniversary sale at Eidsvold, January 1987
Newspaper clipping kindly contributed by Murray Otto (September 2022)
1988
Neil Donaldson, Branch Manager
Lance Fox, Stock Sales
Aileen Oehm, Office / Accounts
Lewis Jenkinson, Merch Sales (Transferred IN from Clermont Branch in position as Officer in Charge Gayndah Merch Depot as part of Eidsvold Branch)
1989
Neil Donaldson, Branch Manager (Transferred out to Biloela Branch as Manager)
Lance Fox, Stock Sales & Branch Manager (Promoted on Neil Donaldson’s transfer out)
Kevin Fenton, Stock Sales
Charlie Mort, Merch Sales (Charlie’s first branch posting with the company)
Aileen Oehm, Office / Accounts
Lewis Jenkinson, Merch Sales(Officer in Charge Gayndah Merch Depot as part of Eidsvold Branch)
“Eidsvold Branch Manager (1986 – 1989) Neil Donaldson
in March 2021 receiving life membership to the Droughtmaster
Society for his fantastic contribution to the breed.”
Photo Gary Mason
1990
Lance Fox, Branch Manager
Kevin Fenton, Stock Sales
Charlie Mort, Merch Sales (Charlie Transferred out to Rockhampton Branch as Stock Salesman)
Aileen Ohm, Office / Accounts
Lewis Jenkinson, Merch Sales (Officer in Charge Gayndah Merch Depot as part of Eidsvold Branch)
* Last updated 21/04/2021 RSS
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