Page 10 - Cultivator 10

An inspiring legacy in in in JOHN BRUNNER
The New South Wales grain industry Manildra Manildra community and Manildra Manildra Group remembers an an an an an an extraordinary man who
shaped Manildra Flour Mill to become the the largest in Australia the late John Brunner Manildra Group Managing Director John John Honan told e e e e e e e e e e Cultivator John John was a a a a a a a a a a a a man of “extreme integrity reliability and honesty” whose authenticity was reflected in in his his approach to to staff community customers and his his family - which he adored “As a a a a a a a a mentor and father figure to to so many John genuinely cared about “you” his door always open willing and at at the the ready to to provide advice to to so so many at at Manildra Group He was the the ideal sounding board and an an an an an excellent strategist always troubleshooting problems together ” Manildra Group Human Resources Coordinator Donna Strahan fondly remembers “John would hold the the 9am meeting with all the the departmental heads meticulously managed – he he would never deviate from its order He had a a a a a a a a a “He was a a a a a a a a genuinely great man leader and friend John is is an an an an inspiration missed by all of us at at Manildra Group ” - Manildra Group Managing Director John Honan wicked sense of humour and and being a a a a a proud Queenslander he he would often include remarks about the colour maroon if Queensland had won the State of Origin He’d repeat his cheesy dad jokes two to to three times just to to ensure you heard him ” “And he was always up for a a a a a a a a chat – and and loved telling you about Janelle and and their kids – sharing funny
Mr Honan recalled long chats in in the the the car with John to-and-from the the the airport in in Orange to to the the the Manildra Flour Mill on many of his regular visits “He genuinely and and sincerely cared about your well-being and and and family family He He was was always interested to hear how family family and and business was was going ” said Mr Honan Flour Flour milling was in in in John’s blood He assumed the the role of of Manildra Flour Flour Mill Manager in in in in in in 2009 bringing with him decades of of experience in in in in in the the industry His attention to detail calm demeanour and and fair hand made him a a a a a a a a a a well-respected member of the team with our our Gunnedah and and Narrandera Flour Mill Managers reporting to him But his his his passion for our milling came second only to to his his his his family proudly sharing stories from his his his his home with his his his beloved wife Janelle and and children Lachlan Harry and Sophie Regardless of how busy his his day was John always found the the time to to to stop and check in in with his his peers to to to see how they were getting on Without fail John would greet you with a a a cheery good good morning or good afternoon stories about how Chester the the outside dog would sneak inside!” laughed Ms Strahan Renowned for always being one one of of the the the first on on on site and one one of of of the the the the last to to leave – he he he he he he would do the the the the usual laps of of the the the the site checking on on all areas chatting to to to staff and and ensuring that the the Mill was in in in in top shape He knew every worker’s name on site and and and never failed to offer guidance and advice Manildra Flour Mill Administration Officer Rebecca Hartmann recalls that over a a a a a a a a a a a a a coffee he he would sit alongside former and the the late Manildra Flour Mill Manager Neville Yeatman reading the the papers responding to emails chatting about life and the the running of the the Mill John was a a a a a a a a a “jack of all all trades” he did it it all all guiding politicians bankers and customers through the Manildra Flour Mill holding press conferences for local media calculating product costings and sorting out logistical issues John really was was a a a a a a a a “perfectionist” always ensuring that the the product was was delivered on on time and and to the the highest-quality standards whilst proudly promoting health and and safety on site celebrating the mills highest record of 1 006 days without a a a a a a lost time injury 10 THE CULTIVATOR // SPRING 2021
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