Chairman's Biography
Bruce Campbell AM MBE
Chairman – Outback Calling Ltd
Founder - Year of the Outback
2003 Senior Australian of the Year 2003
Born in Longreach in Queensland, Bruce began a long and distinguished career in rural industry in the wool department of the Pastoral House Primaries, rising to the position of General Manager in 1974.
It was one year later that Primaries became Primaries Mactaggarts, then Primac Holdings. He was General Manager and a Director of the group until his retirement in 1983. In 1979-1980 he served as President of the National Council of Woolselling Brokers of Australia.
His close association with rural industry also included the role of Chairman, Livestock and Meat Authority of Queensland from 1986 to 1992 and President of the Droughtmaster Cattle Breeders Society, 1993 to 1998.
Another milestone was his role in the instigation and in turn, key involvement, in taking the country to the city through presenting Australia's primary industries at World Expo 88 in Brisbane. This "Silo in the City" was the first time an industry sector had been presented in its own pavilion at a World Exposition.
Bruce's appreciation for people and great love of his country has seen his passion extend to the sport of life saving. As a young man he enjoyed an extensive involvement in Surf Lifesaving, including Club Captaincy and life membership of the Metropolitan/ Caloundra Surf Lifesaving Club.
His contribution to lifesaving also extended to the Royal Life Saving Society in which he became a member of State and Federal Councils, State President 1971 to 1986 and National Deputy President, 1982 to 1987. A significant breakthrough for lifesavers resulted from Bruce's participation with others in the introduction of Expired Air Resuscitation.
To acknowledge his service to voluntary organisations, in particular those associated with Life Saving, he was awarded an MBE in 1986.
Bruce's most recent project has been his role as Founder and Chairman of 2002 Australia's Year of the Outback, a concept he first expounded in 1996 and that grew to inspire a nation to unite and focus on the role of Australia's outback and what it means to the nation's future.
His inspiration for the creation of such a "Year" was spurred by concern over the growing divide between urban and rural communities and the untapped potential of Australia's outback. Bruce and a coterie of supporters developed a plan to excite the interest of all Australians and overseas countries.
The concept was endorsed by the Federal Government, States and Territories, and officially launched by the Hon John Anderson MP, Deputy Prime Minister of Australia, at Longreach in November 1999.
From its conception to widespread discussion, development and delivery in 2002, Bruce immersed himself in the Year of the Outback, travelling throughout Australia to muster support for, and involvement in, the celebrations.
His focus now remains fixed on ensuring that the legacies and spirit of the Year of the Outback are carried forward and that systems are set in place to ensure that the significant achievements seen Australia wide will be ongoing - this process will be advanced through Outback Calling Ltd, previously trading as the Australian Outback Development Consortium.
In recognition of his dedication and contribution to the Australian community - urban and rural, regional and remote - and his tireless enthusiasm to continue this work Bruce was named 2003 Senior Australian of the Year and was proud to represent senior citizens Australia wide and their invaluable contribution to the Nation.
In 2004 he was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for services to the community, in particular in Rural Australia.
Bruce Campbell: Biographical Timeline at a Glance
Rural Industry
- 1993 - 98: President, Droughtmaster Cattle Breeders Society
- 1986 - 92: Chairman, Livestock and Meat Authority of Queensland
- 1986 - 88: Chairman, Organising Committee for the 34th International Congress of Meat
Science and Technology
- 1986 - 88: Chairman, Primary Industries Pavilion Ltd which established the Primary Industries Pavilion 'Silo in the City' at World Expo 88 in Brisbane; this was the first time an industry sector had been presented in its own pavilion at a World Exposition
Pastoral House
- 1948 - 83: Queensland Primary Producers Cooperative Association Ltd. 'Primaries' and 'Primac'
- 1974: General Manager 'Primaries'
- 1975: Amalgamation of 'Primaries' and Mactaggarts Primary Producers Association forming 'Primac'
- 1975 - 83: General Manager and Director of 'Primac'
- 1979 - 81: President, The National Council of Wool Selling Brokers of Australia
Community
- 1948: Began involvement with Surf Life Saving Association of Australia and Royal Life Saving Society of Australia
- 1971 - 76: Queensland President, Royal Life Saving Society of Australia
- 1982 - 87: National Deputy President, Royal Life Saving Society of Australia
- 1980 - 90: Committee Member of the Queensland Duke of Edinburgh Award Committee
- 1965 - 80: Member Queensland Council, St. John's Ambulance Association
- 1986: Awarded MBE in recognition of services to voluntary organizations, particularly those associated with life saving
- 1999: Official launch of Bruce Campbell's concept of 2002 Australia's Year of the Outback 2000: Outback 2002 Ltd, the National Secretariat and coordinating body for the Year of the Outback established with Bruce Campbell as Chairman
- 2002: 2002 Australia's Year of the Outback - Bruce Campbell Founder and Chairman
- 2003: Senior Australian of the Year
- 2003: Chairman - Australian Outback Development Consortium Ltd
- 2004: Awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for services to the community, in particular in Rural Australia
- 2005: Named "Lifesaver of the Century" - 1905 to 2005, by the Royal Life Saving Society, Queensland
- 2008: Chairman – Outback Calling Ltd
