I was born in Emerald in 1962 and grew up on my parents ballot block in Capella before moving back to Emerald to our property Kerry Downs. I first attended school at St Patricks Primary in Emerald before spending three years at Anakie State School where our family had bought another property. This was followed by another move back to Emerald and St Patricks before spending my secondary schooling years at St Brendans College Yeppoon.

My working life started in Emerald as a livestock agent and after working for different companies, founded my own business Emerald Land & Cattle in 1988. It grew from a livestock and property business to real estate and property management and then into water trading.

I live with my partner Bron on a small 84 hectare farm and run a few cattle. My daughters Bessie and Annie were born in Emerald and now live in Brisbane and Mackay respectively. Bessie is an elite athlete, having been the Queensland 100m and 200m champion in 2006 in her senior year and is still competing in National titles. She is a Science of Human Movement Graduate and is currently the strength and conditioning coach with the Australian Women’s Cricket team – The Southern Stars. Annie graduated her Bachelor of Laws in December 2015 and is currently working at a solicitors in Mackay.

I am extremely proud of the girls achievements and am extremely grateful that they have a great work ethic and demeanour to be honest and generous around their family and friends.

Bron is my partner in the business and shares her time between her work for the Morawitz family at Comet, Emerald Land and Cattle and her great love for her parish church St Lukes in Emerald.