A farming background has contributed to the waterfront career of Northern Stevedoring Services Commercial Manager Mitchell Smith.
Mitchell grew up on a banana run on the Cassowary Coast. His grandfather brought the family up from Murwillumbah in northern New South Wales in the first quarter of last century.
“I was a son of a farming parents, so grew up on a banana farm and was instilled with hard-work values.
“’The harder I work, the luckier I get’ is a term Sir Joh (then Queensland Premier Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen) told my grandfather and that’s something that was passed down to me.
“My understanding of machinery and operation and supply chains stemmed from my experience working on the farm first and foremost.”
That farming experience had stood him in good stead Mitchell said.
“Having that ability to talk to the team, whether it be a mechanical issue or equipment and specification of equipment, just helps me deal with operators all the way to the directors or general managers of NSS and its shareholders.
“Coming from the country has been critical to both my development and my ability to liaise and interact with our customers across regional Queensland.”
Mitchell completed a law degree at James Cook University and developed his contract skills with the Port of Townsville, Carborough Downs coal mine and then at the Ivanhoe Osborne operations.
He and his partner have a 400-acre block near Tully not far from his grandfather’s farm where he grazes a herd of 250 brahman-cross bullocks.
This takes second place behind his growing family which includes baby girl Adelaide.
Living in the north was a blessing, Mitchell said.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to complete my degree at JCU here in Townsville,” he said. “It’s only hours down the road from where my family were at the time.
“That was a great opportunity for people in regional Queensland to have access to quality universities. From there I’ve been effectively based in the Townsville region.
“So there hasn’t been a need to leave regional Queensland, and in fact, it’s been a blessing to be able to be based here and continue to be involved in developing regional Queensland.”