Critics predicted Central Queensland beef producers Blair and Josie Angus would struggle to attract staff to run their $30 million abattoir, which opened nearly a year ago.
But despite the labour market being the tightest in living memory and the facility being on a cattle property 70 kilometres from the nearest town of Moranbah, nearly 40 staff have signed on.
Son, John Angus, admitted hiring the workers needed for his father's bold undertaking to succeed was nerve-racking.
"Dad's big dream was always 'build it, and they will come', and I think we've definitely seen that now," he said.
'We never get bored'
To attract workers, above-award wages were offered, and accommodation was designed to function more like a village than temporary lodgings.
"The village can accommodate 30 to 40 people, so we're pretty jam-packed at the moment," said executive assistant Maddy Wightman.
There is accommodation for singles and couples, and Blair Angus hopes the soon-to-be-finished rugby oval will impress the 15 Fijian workers due before Christmas.
A graduate program attracted animal and veterinary bioscience graduate Jackson Scott from Dubbo in New South Wales.
"The village is awesome, to be around people from all walks of life from overseas, from next door, it's pretty special," Mr Scott said.
There are plenty of leisure activities available on the property.
"We do a fair bit of water skiing and time on horses. The opportunity to jump on a horse of an afternoon and have our own horses here is great. We never get bored," Mr Scott said.
Another staff member is agribusiness graduate Arthur Marais, who moved from Dubbo.
"I get to see the business part of it, finance part of it, logistics part of it. I think that's a great advantage," he said.
The Angus's four children all work in the now vertically integrated operation, either managing the family's 35,000 cattle across four properties, the 3,000-head feedlot, the abattoir, or the Brisbane sales office.
David Angus said social media was the most effective way to recruit.
"My siblings, we're young people as well, so we love to get involved with these young people that have never seen the industry and take them through it and teach it," he said.
"We actually encourage people that don't have any experience at all, and sometimes they're the ones we want."
To stop workers from getting bored and leaving, a variety of work is offered.
"We have something for everyone here whether you'd like to be in the paddock mustering, in the feedlot, in the plant or the office," said production and livestock coordinator Zanny Ross.
Supporting the next generation
Blair Angus might run a multi-million-dollar pastoral and beef business, exporting the family's seven beef brands to 18 countries, but he's just as committed to training young people.
He praises the young staff who have taken a chance and moved to work with and for the family, such as 17-year-old Moranbah local Jayden Lake.
"He's doing a certificate in meat processing with us, and he's actually bringing more of his mates on board as well, and they're just good kids to have around."
It's Mr Lake's first job.
"You gain experience in the workforce, and you learn how to work, work good and work hard [and have a] good work ethic," Mr Lake said.
Former sandblaster 27-year-old Brodie Sanderson who moved from Dalby, three hours from Brisbane, has made a big impression.
"You walk into a room, and there are 30 people that just idolise and respect him. Brodie is a superstar," David Angus said.
"I've never felt more a part of a family. That's why I love it here, I'd be happy to stay for quite a while. I love my job," Brodie Sanderson said.
Claire Wright came for a gap year, and the Angus family is confident the 19-year-old "born leader" will be back during and after studying agriculture at university.
"The opportunities are endless. I think it's a good opportunity. It would be silly if I turned it down," Ms Wright said.
With the commissioning phase now over, the family is awaiting export accreditation so the abattoir can operate at full capacity of 200 head a day, which would require staff numbers to double.
"Getting accreditation will be massive for us up here, being able to take the product from on-farm through the plant and right through to our export customers," Zanny Ross said.
The responsibility of making the abattoir work is now down to the four Angus siblings.
"It's definitely a lot of pressure, but I think we'll handle it. Dad's getting into a position now where he can let us run a bit more, and I just hope we can do him proud," John Angus said.
Watch this story on ABC TV's Landline at 12:30pm on Sunday, or on ABC iview.
