ABOUT US

Personal

We were married on 16/10/1982 at Suncoast Christian Outreach Centre, have two daughters, Amy and Elizabeth and one son Matthew.

Amy and Elizabeth have both been very active in the church, as youth leaders and promoting and building up the music team

Amy has decided to move on and we can all wish her well in her new and exciting life ahead.

Since taking over the Church here in Charleville in 1995, we have seen many changes take place and have endeavoured to keep the whole group informed and taking part in those changes,

Charleville with a population of only 3500 and is a typical outback town, friendly and also inquisitive and because our Church is on the edge of town most of those who drive past do so slowly and have a good look in especially when there are cars parked around the Church.

Our passionate aim is to encourage people of Charleville and surrounding areas to understand what God is all about, if they choose to join us that is wonderful but should they choose to go to another Church that is their decision and so long as they are genuine we wish them all the best. They are after all our brothers and sisters

Grace and Mark Ironside had to make the transition from swimsuits to moleskins when they made the move from the Sunshine Coast to the west.

However it was not the attraction of the beef industry which first lured the couple to their first stop at Blackall it was the carpentry business.

“I always had an urge to be on the land and work with the land” Mark said.

He has worked on a variety of properties including “Bloomfield” south west of Blackall and “Lynbrydon” south west Blackall for four years.

However his dream to own his own property never faltered – it merely changed. “He thought he was going to own a sugar cane farm at Bundaberg” Grace said.

“It’s a big difference"

The couple bought “Tyrone” in 1992.

“We came from Blackall and moved down the Adavale Road a little bit, then came down a bit further until we got to Tyrone”.

Grace said public opinion about them buying the property was not positive.

She said they were told “buying in that mulga area was not a good idea”.

“Blackall country is such open grasslands’ she said when trying to explain the reason why non-Charleville people tried to dissuade the couple.

However despite some initial pessimism from public quarters, both sides of their family were fully supportive.

“Tyrone” runs 3600sheep, 35 Herefords and a host farm.

Choosing a breed of cattle was relatively easy for the man who intends to build up his own herd numbers.

“Herefords sell well at Roma and they are good on the softer country around the house” Mark said.

“Whereas if I was going to put some out the back further I’d probably go for a cross because of the harsher conditions in the predominately mulga country”.

Mark said he was looking to expand his cattle line.

Judging from what the neighbours have done 100 head or more would be good here.

“Id probably have to cut the sheep numbers back a little bit”

He said cattle were not as hard on the grass as sheep and they did not eat it as low.

“You can spell some paddocks with cattle by taking the sheep out” he said.

“It helps the mulga as well because cattle don’t eat the young mulga as it comes up and catttle gives it time to grow.”

“Sheep will just keep eating it off all the time.”

The Ironsides are taking alternative action to combat the wool and cattle price demise.

They are entering the goat industry and continuing its host farm industry.

Although they said they would probably send their kill to the soon to be opened Charleville abattoirs it would remain dependent on Bourke abattoir prices as transport cost to Bourke were free.

The competition between the abattoirs is expected to force goat prices up, something which in a time of rural downturn brings a smile to the lips of producers.

Asked if “Tyrones” host farm dabble was used to ensure economic viability, the couple agreed.

However an onlooker could be excused for believing the real reason for their “dabble” is a love of people.

“It was actually set up as a tourist farm when we bought it” Grace said.

“We would probably never have thought of doing it ourselves.

It was already established as a tourist place but it was very run down.”

In its previous heyday there were a lot of overseas guests and there is a big market to tap into.

We don’t want it to become too big because it takes over your whole life.”

The couple said a variety of guests stayed at the property- some of whom kept returning.

Grace said tourists were able to take all their meals with the family and become part of the family during their stay.

This is a family tie that is sometimes hard to break if the number of Xmas cards and letters sent to the family by former guests is any indication.