Along with being a driven and successful businessmen of humble beginnings, Mr Hakfoort was also a loving husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather and friend to many. After World War II, Mr Hakfoort’s parents made their way to Australia, and settled in a little town called Biloela, not knowing any English.  

With times being tough, Mr Hakfoort was unable to finish school and entered the workforce doing cotton chipping and working at a local newspaper to help support his brother and sisters. 

After joining the army and travelling around Queensland, he eventually settled in Mount Isa as part of the 35th field squadron in 1967.

He would eventually start his business career and meet the love of his life in the city. 

His son Albert Hakfoort Jnr said his father started his business career in a little tin shed in a place Mr Hakfoort considered home since moving to the Isa. 

“His business career kicked off in a little tin shed on Buckley Avenue in Mount Isa, with the creation of Isa Printing Service with two other partners,” Mr Hakfoort Jnr said.  

“After some time, the other partners sold their share to my father and Isa Printing Service was all his, as well as a milk run he owned in Mount Isa. 

“He soon decided that Mount Isa needed a larger printing and office supplies business, and upgraded Isa Printing Service to a bigger location in the Hub Arcade, adding stationery and office furniture supply to what would become Hosips (Hub Office Supplies Isa Printing Service).” 

Being a dedicated member of the Mount Isa Rotary Club led to Mr Hakfoort meeting his wife of 41 years – Dianne Walker – at a Rotary function.

They were married less than a year later, and  then came the arrival of their daughter Michele. 

With the birth of their son, Albert Jnr, less than three years later in 1976, the Hakfoorts were both hard at work building up their businesses. 

Mr and Mrs Hakfoort bought and built Mount Isa House, which was officially opened by then Prime Minister Bob Hawke twice over the years. 

Mr Hakfoort Jnr said his father loved Mount Isa and worked tirelessly to help develop his town. 

“They worked tirelessly to build up their Mount Isa businesses, eventually venturing out to also purchase and successfully run hotels in southern Queensland,” he said.

“This pulled them out of Mount Isa for the first time in 40 years, however the lure of Mount Isa must have been too strong and his eye soon turned back to the town he loved and called home for most of his life.

“He and Dianne purchased the old Boydie’s Hotel in 2005 and refurbished it, transforming it from another local pub into a boutique 4-and-a-half star hotel worthy of any major city in the world, now known as the Red Earth Hotel.

“They then purchased the adjoining hotel, The Isa, in 2007 and also redeveloped it.’’ 

Mount Isa Mayor Tony McGrady said Mr Hakfoort was a dear friend and a businessman like no other. 

“He came here penniless and went from small time to big time and became what I imagine is a very big businessman,” he said.  

“His wife was very much into Zonta and he was very involved with the Rotary Club.’’  

Over the years, Mr Hakfoort did a lot more that has not been mentioned for the Mount Isa community and for businesses and people that he met over the years. 

He will be missed and remembered by many. 

His legacy will be remembered, and his buildings will stand tall as a reminder of what one man did for a town that he loved and called home.