From paddock to pushing a pen, Tamworth's Geoff Quinn has seen most sides of agriculture in his long career in farming. And even with three degrees in his back pocket, Geoff has never forgotten what it is like to work long and hard in agriculture.
It may not have been part of his job, but over decades, he's quietly observed the good and the bad in rural employment. His own experience included 40 years of farming in Central West NSW, as well as a stint as a jackeroo at Cunnamulla 'where I worked six-and-a-half days a week and only got Sunday afternoon off'.
Things have progressed from there, but he still passionately advocates for work opportunities for backpackers and young people visiting Australia. And this interaction has led to lifelong friendships with some of those he's helped out.
His desire to learn more about his industry has seen him study at some of the key farming institutions in the nation, including Hawkesbury Agricultural College, the University of Western Sydney, where he undertook a Masters in Systems Agriculture and the University of New England, where he completed a Masters in Rural Science. In his thesis, he examined two centuries of development in genetic and production improvement in the Australian beef cattle industry.
Now, he focuses on ensuring those who come to Australia to work on farms are not only paid well but treated well so they become international ambassadors for Australian agriculture. He established the initiative Manybusyhands, a service that attempts to match job seekers with employers, particularly for seasonal work. He also helps workers to locate budget accommodation as they travel throughout Australia.
Another purpose of the website is to allow farmers and rural and regional businesses to develop a profile of their business story. They can write 500 words and upload photos to tell their stories in Australian agriculture to both a wider audience and to future workers. He wants as many farmers as possible to register on his site - not only to offer roles to prospective employees but for the website to act as an advertisement for all that is good in working in Australian agriculture.
