Taskforce Profiles

Sam Gunn - Chairman

Sam was born and raised on a cattle property in Goondiwindi, Queensland. He went to school in Toowoomba and was in Sydney for high school. When he finished school he worked in Mount Sanford Station in the Northern Territory for a year. After completing a Bachelor of Business at the University of Sydney in Orange, Sam worked for another year on the family farm, which by this time was at the Hunter Valley, following his family’s move in 2000.

In 2006, Sam did a 9 month world trip. Wanting to make his travel experiences worthwhile he planned to see as much of the beef industry as he could in the countries he visited.  Sam says his time away was priceless, visiting parts of Europe, Africa, and North & South America.
 
Sam’s family operates the Sevenbardot Poll Hereford stud and trade commercial cattle on two properties in the Hunter Valley. Since his family recently bought a property west of Condobolin in Central NSW, he now spends most of his time there, running about 6500 Merino Wethers and about 700 Damara/Dorper Ewes.
 
Sam’s interests include traveling, training working dogs, and horses for polo, competing in polo, campdrafts and rodeo.

Not only is Sam the Chairman of the Young Farmers’ Presidential Taskforce, he is also a member of the Cattle Committee and of the 2020 task force for the Cattle Council of Australia. His involvement came out of curiosity, and has greatly enjoyed the opportunities and challenges that have come about.

Chris Laurie - Vice Chairman

Chris works on his family’s beef & sheep farm in Uralla. Since leaving school in 2002, he has also kept himself busy by starting a carting business, adding truck driver to his experience.  Chris has studied various courses with TAFE NSW, having completed a Diploma of Agriculture and is currently doing a Wool Classers Course.

Some of Chris’ interests include traveling, meeting new people, skiing and rugby union.

Chris is looking forward to more involvement with the Young Farmers’ Presidential Taskforce. He has a keen passion for agriculture and believes it has a strong and positive future.

Murk Schoen

Mark hails from Corowa in Southern NSW. After completing Year 11 at St Paul’s College in Walla Walla, Mark worked on a local cropping property while taking up further education at TAFE. He is currently doing his Diploma in Agriculture which he hopes to finish this year.

Over the past two years Mark has gained experience working for a local hay contractor, as well as working part time around the area. He says the great thing about it is he still gets to help out on the two family farms, one at Corowa and the other at Guyra on the New England tablelands.

Some of Mark’s interests include cattle fitting and judging at local and state shows. He is also involved in Angus Youth Australia.

In the near future Mark hopes to work on the family farm on a full time basis. He is also looking forward to dedicating himself to the Young Farmers’ Presidential Taskforce. He believes it’s a great support network for all the young people out there who have got farming in their blood.