AACo’s directors and chairman Donald McGauchie were among visitors to celebrate the centenary on Saturday. The station spans 1.1 million hectares north of Urandangi.

Many past employees and their families used the opportunity to visit the site of many fond memories.

Helicopter rides, station tours and a luncheon prepared by Mount Isa TAFE students were highlights of the occasion. 

Directors were also photographed with a plaque installed on the property in front of steam engine relics to mark the occasion. 

Boulia mayor Rick Britton said the centenary milestone proved the sustainability of the agricultural industry. 

“It astounds me when we talk with government, they put us down as the poor cousin of the mining industry. 

“100 years this property has been here. I can guarantee this property has produced more beef than 100 years ago. 

“There’s more ecosystems here than 100 years ago. 

“Show me a mine that can do exactly that.” 

The company has been involved in beef production since 1824 and owns approximately one per cent of the country’s landmass.  

Mr McGauchie made a speech hinting of changes being made in the company including the recent appointment of a scientific advisory board chaired by former CSIRO CEO Megan Clark. 

Development of premium Westholme brands will be taken to the market “in the very near future”. 

“There’s a pinnacle of what we want to do and right now we can buy the very best of our beef...in London for 200 pounds a kilo. 

“In order to get enough of that product to the market the whole team has to work as a single team,” Mr McGauchie said.  “I have to say I am delighted in the progress made in that direction so I think we have got a very exciting new future.” 

One recent transition that Headingly Station has made is changing its cattle to 100 per cent Wagyu beef within the last year. 

Avon Downs manager Matthew Barrett noticed while on a tour of the property the quality of Wagyu on Headingly. “Our cattle are fat at home, but these are unreal. They look good.”