Primac Gurus fourth annual reunion was held recently on the 19th of October 2024. Another new change of venue, saw the gathering convene in the Celtic Room at the Irish Club Hotel in the Toowoomba CBD. Around 50 delegates were in attendance, with the committee well pleased that there was mix of regulars and a healthy number who have visited for the first time. There was lots of action on the auction floor, with the auctioneers competition creating lots of energy, and was certainly a highlight of the afternoon.
A special guest at this years reunion was a visit by Mrs Glen Mactaggart (wife of Doug) and their daughter Catherine. It was a photo opportunity too good to miss. A contingent of ex Mactaggarts staff being able to take the opportunity to sit with the family, and chat about their days with the famous company. Glen and Catherine bought along several large scrapbooks, featuring much of the early Mactaggart history. Certainly a trip down memory lane!
Pictured: (L to R) Gary Mason, Helen Walker, Jerry O’Sullivan, Glen Mactaggart, Glen Cameron, Catherine Mactaggart, Barry Dixon, Greg Jacobsen & Margaret Barton. Photo courtesy of Barry Dixon
The fourth Annual General Meeting of Primac Gurus Association Inc
Convened at 11.00am prior to the commencement of the reunion, seventeen financial members gathered in the Celtic Room for the fourth annual AGM.
Results of the election of office bearers were: President: Chris Todd
Secretary: Chris Todd
Treasurer: Carol Jarick
Vice President: Helen Walker
Committee: Margaret Barton, Gary Mason, Warren Hohnke, Steve Gaff, Joshua Lockwod, Peter Hayes
Robin Hart, had previously accepted the committee’s invitation to continue in his role as Patron. Mr Hart unfortunately was unable to attend this year.
A copy of the minutes of the 4th Annual General Meeting including the Treasurers and Presidents Reports are attached:
Our latest member, is presented with his Primac Gurus badge!
The Gurus latest member, who was recently endorsed at the October committee meeting, Mr Neville Bridge, travelled from the north side of Brisbane to attend. Neville enjoyed catching up with old workmates from 40 plus years ago. During the afternoon President Chris Todd presented Neville with a Primac Gurus lapel badge, and introduced him to the gathering.
Latest Member, Mr. Neville Bridge was presented with his Primac Gurus Badge 
The Primac Gurus Members Badge
More Members Needed!
The committee of Primac Gurus are always looking to increase our membership. If you are thinking you would like to be part of this great Association, click on the Primac Gurus Membership Application link now. It will take you to an online store to lodge your application.
Gurus gather from across South East Queensland for the fourth annual Primac Gurus Reunion!
Delegates gathered at the reunion from all parts of South East and Central Queensland, including Yeppoon, Roma, Charleville, Sunshine Coast, The Fraser Coast, Brisbane and of course the Toowwomba region.
List of delegates were: Margaret Barton, Geoff Birch, Neville Bridge, Robert Brown, Glen Cameron, George Cooper, Barry Dixon, Glenn Dunn, Jocelyn Dunn, Bill Edwards, Noel Grant, Gary Greer, Jenny Greer, Richard Handley, Kevin Hauff, Peter Hayes, Howard Hobbs (Angel Flight) Warren Hohnke, Nev Holden, Carol Holden, Emma Hyde, Bill Jackson, Kay Jackson, Greg Jacobsen, Rosemaree Jacobsen, Carol Jarick, Kevin Jarick, Josh Lockwood, Ashley Loveday, Tina Loveday, Mrs Glen Mactaggart (Guest), Catherine Mactaggart (Guest), Keith McRobert, Gary Mason, Margaret Neill, John O’Reilly, Jerry O’Sullivan, Brian Peake, Ian Philp, Ross Ruhle, Bill Smith, Tony Speer, Tig Speer, Chris Todd, Sandy Todd, Helen Walker.
Apologies were: Ian Bassett, Ian Lovegrove, Viv Merrick, Richard Street, Steve Gaff, Trevor Francis, Marilyn Keanelly, Charlie Mort, Cyril Close, Steve Truman, Andrew Scott, Wayne Fischer, David Morgan, Terry Lanskey, Bernie Frawley, Vic Perkins, Robin Hart (Patron)
Very special guests were in attendance!
The wife of the late Doug Mactaggart, Mrs Glen Mactaggart and their daughter Catherine, were special guests at this years reunion. We were privileged, to have them travel from Brisbane for the afternoon. They were certainly made very welcome by the many old Mactaggarts employees, who took the opportunity to swap plenty of stories of their times in Head Office in Mactaggart House at 43 Creek Street, Brisbane,
L to R: The Mactaggarts Crew Gary Mason, Helen Walker, Jerry O’Sullivan, Glen Mactaggart, Glen Cameron, Catherine Mactaggart, Barry Dixon, Greg Jacobsen, Margaret Barton 
L to R: Catherine Mactaggart, Jerry O’Sullivan, Glen Mactaggart, Barry Dixon 
Jerry O’Sullivan & Glen Mactaggart swapping stories 
Glen Mactaggart 
Catherine and Glen Mactaggart with Helen Walker 
Catherine Mactaggart 
Catherine Mactaggart & Barry Dixon checking out the Mactaggarts scrapbooks
Angel Flight, the charity of choice, as beneficiary of the Primac Gurus 2024 Fundraising Efforts.
In keeping with the fourth paragraph of our Primac Gurus mission statement, which states “We seek to raise charitable funds, through events, donations, and sponsorship with the intent of distributing funds back into rural Queensland communities”, the Primac Gurus committee found it was an easy choice for 2024. The Angel Flight Charity ticks all of the boxes to fulfill our goal to distribute our fundraising efforts back to the rural communities of Queensland.
We were honoured to have in attendance on the day, Mr Howard Hobbs from Roma. Howard is well known in the Maranoa and Far West, he is a pilot, and a very active contributor of his time and aircraft for the Angel Flight cause. Howard flew in from Roma on the day of the reunion, and received a Primac Gurus cheque for $5,000.00.
We thank Howard, and indeed all of the Angel Flight volunteers, for their efforts. They are only able to keep in the air, and doing great work, with donations like ours.
Primac Gurus cheque for $5,000 presented to Angel Flight in Roma. 
Primac Gurus President, Chris Todd, and Treasurer Carol Jarick, present the cheque to Mr Howard Hobbs from Angel Flight
Another Successful Fundraising Auction and Competition!
Following on from last years successful “Auctioneers Competition” , Helen Walker and Warren Hohnke read the room, and recruited a panel of auctioneers from the patrons, to vie for the prestigious Primac Gurus cup. The nominees were a mix of some old renowned stalwarts, and some not so old agents, still in the game. Each auctioneer had the opportunity to offer two items from the huge list of sponsored and donated goods. The competitors representing the retired legends were, Tony Speer, Gary Greer, and Keith McRobert. The auctioneers, that are still in the game included Josh Lockwood, Ashley Loveday and Peter Hayes.
Tony Speer went through to be judged best of the retired legends, and Josh Lockwood was judged first for the younger group. Both men had a rerun for the final, and Tony Speer, proved that he has still got it, and went through to claim the Primac Gurus Gold Cup.
Congratulations to all, for contributing to a bit of afternoon fun, and congratulations to our judging panel, in Glen and Catherine Mactaggart, and Marg Barton. All three judges have certainly been around the auction rings over the years, and are well qualified for their judging positions. Thank you Ladies.
The auctioneering judging panel: The ladies compare notes. Glen Mactaggart, Margaret Barton, Catherine Mactaggart 
L to R: Warren Hohnke, Josh Lockwood, Gary Greer, Tony Speer. Seated Mrs Glen Mactaggart 
Ashley Loveday doing what he does best. 
Peter Hayes looking for another bid 
Josh Lockwood proving he still has it! 
Gary Greer, back on familiar territory. Well done Gary! 
Keith McRobert doesn’t need any coaxing. He knows what he’s doing. 
The Primac Gurus Cup donated by Helen Walker 
Oops the winner said the cup was a handful. Well done Tony Speer.
Thanks go to our organisers, Carol Jarick, Margaret Barton and Helen Walker, for their efforts in putting together some rather impressive items for the fundraising auction. A very special thank you, also, to the fantastic businesses and individuals that “chipped in” with their sponsorship.
The results of the auction were: 16 Items sold for a Gross of $3,980.00. Primac Gurus thank and certainly acknowledge the great support shown by our sponsors Carol & Kevin Jarick, Skills on Demand, The Hart family company, Stockyard Beef, Gidgee Smith Bags, Ashley Loveday, Helen Walker, Michelle Clout, The Queensland Country Life, Peter Hayes and Hayes & Company, Charlie Mort and Mort & Co.
Lot 1: BCF 12v Fridge/Freezer, kindly donated by Skills on Demand. Sold to Glen Cameron for $450.00 
Lot 2: A Gidgee Smith shampoo bag and goodies: Donated by Skills on Demand & Helen Walker. Sold to John O’Reilly for $80.00 
Lot 3: A beautifully crafted timber hat rack, created & donated by Ashley Loveday. Sold to Glen Cameron $300.00 
Lot 4,5,6,& 7: Four Stockyard Beef Striploins kindly donated by the Hart Family and sold to Catherine Mactaggart $300.00, Rosemaree Jacobsen $250.00, Carol Jarick $225.00, & Brian Peake $250.00 
Lot 8: Gidgee Smith Travel Bag, donated by Skills on Demand. Sold to Rosemaree Jacobsen for $130.00 
Lot 9: Gidgee Smith Travel Bag, donated by Skills on Demand. Sold to Tina Loveday for $170.00 
Lot 10: Landscape Art, donated by artist, Michelle Clout of Roma. Sold to Peter Hayes for $125.00 
Lot 11: Coffee Table Book, “Australian Bush Pubs” donated by the Qld Country Life. Purchased by Bill Edwards for $180.00 
Lot 12: Coffee Table Book from the Qld Country Life: sold to Carol Jarick for $100.00 
Lot 13: Genuine Cow Hide Travel Bag donated by Hayes & Co Siverdale, sold to Catherine Mactaggart for $600 
Lot 14: Gidgee Smith Truckies Wallet: Donated by Gidgee Smith Bags. Sold to Rosemaree Jacobsen for $70.00 
Lot 15: A “Sir Angus” Beef Tenderloin, donated by Mort & Co. Sold to Glen Mactaggart for $600.00. Auctioneer was Noel Grant 
Lot 16: Ashley Loveday’s lovely hat rack was kindly donated back by Glen Cameron to be resold. Sold to Peter Hayes for $250.00
Our Multi Draw Raffle was again well supported. Great prizes were on offer, and raffle winners were given the opportunity to pick from the table. Results of our raffle were:
Blue Label Scotch Whisky, donated by Kevin & Carol Jarick, won by Neville Holden 
Bundy Rum & Nibbles donated by Kevin & Carol Jarick, won by Gary Mason 
Collection of wine & Nibbles donated by Margaret Barton, Won by Richard Handley 
A 25 year Rainfall History donated by Queensland Country Life. Won by Bill Jackson 
Blue Gidgee Smith truckies Wallet, donated by Gidgee Smith. Won by Neville Bridge. 
5 x 2 buckets of Garden Feed Fertilizer, kindly donated by Mort & Co. Won by Jerry O’sullivan, Bill Jackson, Richard Handley, Noel Grant, Kevin Hauff 
Food Voucher kindly donated by The Irish Club Hotel. Won by Ross Ruhle
The raffle prizes were a collection put together by the following sponsors. Carol & Kevin Jarick, Charlie Mort & Mort & Co, Gidgee Smith Bags, Margaret Barton, Helen Walker and the Queensland Country Life. Primac Gurus certainly extend a huge thank you for your continued support.
More Reunion Photos:
President Chris Todd, Glen Cameron & Peter Hayes 
L to R: George Cooper, Ross Ruhle, Neville Bridge & Bill Smith 
L to R: Josh Lockwood, Emma Hyde, & Warren Hohnke 
Brian Peake & Glenn Dunn 
John O’Reilly with Peter Hayes 
Gary Greer & Neville Holden 
Gary Mason & Chris Todd 
Carol Jarick 
Gary Greer, Warren Hohnke & Helen Walker 
A display of the buckets of Garden Fertilizer courtesy of Charlie Mort & Mort & Co 
L to R: Glenn Dunn, Brian Peake, Richard Handley, Jocelyn Dunn, Kevin Hauff, Gary Greer, Tony Speer.
All in all the Primac Gurus 2024 Toowoomba Reunion was an outstanding success. Thankyou to the organisers for the day. We look forward in catching up at future reunions
Story by Greg Jacobsen. Photos courtesy of Gary Mason, Helen Walker, Carol Jarick & Tony Speer.
