Article contributed by: Richard Handley and authored by Greg Jacobsen March 2023
WINTER EDITION 1995
Here is a gem, a Primac staff newsletter, published in the Winter of 1995. Definitely a tumultuous time in the Primac story.
A quote from the Editorial! – “it has been created to give a voice to Primac and it’s people”
Another stand out quote about the edition was “We hope to provide you with informative and entertaining articles about the personality of Primac, it’s business. and it’s people. What’s more, because this is a newsletter for, by and of the Primac people, it’s a forum for you to have your say”
The editorial committee included some great Primac names including, Joanne Bell, Lawrie Cantwell, John Gibson, Anita Herzig, Barry Katterns, Barbare Mark, & Helen Maxwell.
Primac News and Views, certainly a great initiative. From the newsworthy articles in this, the first edition, there is no doubt the editorial team “nailed it” Congratulations to their good woork.
What was making news in the winter of 1995?
The articles in this edition certainly represented a great cross section across all departments of Primac, and news from a host of Queensland branches. Some of the headlines were:
Toowoomba Ostrich Sale: You can read the article on our Stud Stock Team, ruffling feathers, conducting an ostrich sale in Toowoomba. Sale results included a top of $50k and an average of $17k. Gary Greer was the man of the moment, running the sale in conjunction with the Australian Ostrich Association.
Branch Profile: Tolga/Mareeba: Described as the branch “Closest to Heaven”
A lifetime of Service: Arthur Walmsley’s bio reviewing his career with the company. More on Arthur’s life can be reviewed by clicking on the blue link Arthur Walmsley
Brisbane Wool Selling Centre closes: An end of an era, with the last wool auction held in Brisbane was on the 21 & 22 June 1995.
What’s Affirmative Action All About? Primac’s affirmative action committee, comprising Joanne Bell, Dale Cameron, John Gibson, Suzanne Jacobi-Lee and Helen Maxwell, described the importance of affirmative action and the company’s obligations under the Affirmative Action (Equal Opportunity for Women) Act of 1986.
Please read the attached edition, there are many more interesting articles that will. hopefully spark some fond memories for some of you. Enjoy!
SUMMER EDITON 1997
What was making news in the Summer of 1997?
“Positioning for the future”, was the main attention grabbing headline. Of course it was the beginning of the end for the old Primac that we knew. Yet another hostile takeover bid, this time from IAMA, was countered by an eventual merger with competitor Elders. The press described this as “pulling a rabbit from a hat” after months of negotiations. The result Primac Elders Limited!
Pronto rates a mention on page 6. Primac’s new computer system, at the time, certainly fell well short of expectations, and was a major disappointment to clients, management and staff and set business relations back considerably.
On a more happy note, Page 7, features an article on Primac’s Travel Department. This little known division, punched above it’s weight, as noted in the article, the ROE for the previous year was an impressive 63.3%. Maureen Morrow (no relation to Steve Morrow) was noted “as being the only female Primac employee who has the word “Manager” in her title”.
Finally on Page 8, a wonderful photo gallery of some fantastic Primac Staff. It’s includes a great photo of Primac Guru committee member Margaret Barton.
