On The Land
31 July, 2024
Joe Rolfe remembered as ‘one in a million’
A SENIOR Principal Beef Extension Officer who treated producers who had 10 or 10,000 head with equal importance, has been immortalised by his colleagues in a fitting and enduring way.
Joe Rolfe, Senior Principal Beef Extension Officer from the Mareeba Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF), passed away in March last year, however his memory will continue to forever live in the hearts of his family, work colleagues and all those who knew him.
A room in the Mareeba DAF’s building has now been named in Joe’s honour.
Joe’s family which included wife Kerri, son Gus and daughter Ellen, as well as Joe’s brother Patrick, were in attendance for the official renaming of the Beef Team Office to the “Rolfe Room”.
Work colleagues, past and present, as well as members of the community were also in attendance.
DAF Extensive Livestock Systems RD&E, Animal Science director, Dale Miller, travelled from Brisbane to conduct the official opening. He was joined by Brigid Nelson, DAF Extensive Livestock RD&E (North) Animal Science regional manager, who travelled from Charters Towers.
“Professionally, Joe was academically gifted and qualified with a Masters degree, he led statewide projects as a Principal Beef Extension Officer, and Joe invested incredibly heavily into collaboration, teamwork and relationships,” Dale said.
“While not seeking individual praise, his excellence as a respected expert was recognised by industry awards, such as the Gulf Cattleman’s Association Outstanding Service and Support to the North Queensland Cattle Industry award in 2018 and the prestigious North Australia Beef Research Council Medal for Communication and Extension in 2019.”
Former North Queensland Beef Research Committee member and Cattle Council chair Greg Brown said Joe was highly respected.
“Anyone who knew Joe would acknowledge that he was a man of great integrity, common sense and genuine loyalty to his family, friends and workmates,” Greg said.
Principal Beef Extension Officer Niilo Gobius said Joe was an inspiration to all who knew him.
“He was the most cheerful and jovial guy around,” Niilo said.
“Joe never complained, a lesson to all of us. He was always looking to help everyone as well.
“When we went overseas to Vanuatu for a year, he offered to look after my cattle near Malanda, despite living at Bones Knob. I didn’t take him up on the offer.
“Joe was always giving of himself to everyone, as well as being a great family man.
“He is sadly missed, but has left a legacy of a beautiful family and friends and work colleagues who he had influenced in very personal ways.”
Senior Beef Extension Officer Bernie English said Joe was a great friend, work partner and team leader.
”Joe’s leadership, vision, skills and work ethic benefited the Northern Beef Industry enormously over the last 25 years,” Bernie said.
“Joe’s greatest professional legacy was his investment in the people of the beef industry.
“At great personal sacrifice, Joe gave his time and energy unreservedly to others, whether they were producers, service providers or work colleagues.
“His ability to mentor and guide new team ‘beefos’ was outstanding and his bubbly personality is sorely missed.”
Beef Extension Officer Emily Corbett initiated the proposal to dedicate the room in memory of Joe.
“To me Joe was not only an incredible boss, he was a mentor, a role model, a sounding board, and the most caring and kind gentleman,” Emily said.
“He was a natural leader and he did it so well.
“Joe was a standard of man that is few and far between, he truly was a cut above the rest.
“I was lucky enough to find my feet in the Far Northern Beef Team under his guiding wing.
“Name dropping that I was new to extension, working under Joe, seemed to earn me ‘street cred’ in the beef industry, and it didn’t take me long to work out why.
“The ongoing support and encouragement from him are traits he has instilled within my broader team, yet the hole he leaves in our team could never possibly be filled.
“Joe seemed to seamlessly balance the pressures of leading multi-million dollar projects, managing just about everyone, while still never failing to prioritise his family life and ensure there were plenty of laughs and light-heartedness throughout the working week.
“For as long as I work in extension/the industry I will forever do my best to ensure Joe’s legacy lives on.
“In Joe’s words, may I always ‘fight the good fight’ representing the producers of the Far North, with boots on the ground and an impressive amount of kilometres clocked on a QG.”
