Monthly Archives: March 2017

Leading Queensland thoroughbred breeding and racing outfit Aquis Farm is pleased to announce the acquisition of proven Group I producing sire Husson (Arg), who has been purchased from Vinery Stud in a deal brokered by Julian Blaxland’s Blue Sky Bloodstock.

Aquis Farm Chief Executive Officer Justin Fung said the facility was committed to bringing the best available stallions to Queensland and to give breeders the opportunity to access Hunter Valley standard stallions in their own backyard.

“We will support Husson in the same way we have all our other stallions and with horses running for him like Frolic and unbeaten HK rising star Nothingilikemore, we are excited for his future in both Australia and Asia,” Mr Fung said.

A Group I winner by champion sire Hussonet (USA), Husson is currently enjoying his usual good season and has the favourite Frolic for the $1 million Group I ATC Inglis Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) at Randwick this Saturday.

Second in the Group I ATC Golden Slipper and a winner of the Group II ATC Reisling Stakes, Frolic has already won nearly $1 million in prizemoney and is one of four stakes-winners this season for Husson joining Lucky Hussler, Moral Victory and Husson Eagle.

Husson looms as a perfect fit for the Queensland market and has achieved notable success at the $10 million Magic Millions raceday siring Private Secretary to win the Magic Millions Plate for fillies and mares this year and Husson Eagle to win the Magic Millions Sprint and Group I winner Lucky Hussler to win the Magic Millions Cup last year.

“I am so pleased Aquis has acquired Husson,” said Aquis General Manager, Robyn Wise.

“He is a stallion who stamps his stock and never lacks for a good horse. He is very commercial yet perfect for the breed to race breeder as well. His stock are always strong, well-muscled and very consistent.”

Husson started his career at Patinack Farm, but has been based with Vinery Stud in the Hunter Valley recent years.

“He’s been a great horse for us and we are really happy to see him go to Aquis where he will get the support he deserves,” said Peter Orton of Vinery Stud.

“The Hunter Valley has become extremely competitive making it difficult for him to stand out from the crowd, but he will be very well placed in Queensland where his progeny have done so well, particularly on Magic Millions day both this year and last year.

“Being free of Danehill blood he will be a great outcross for the large population of Queensland mares and should suit a wide range of breeders. He’s the complete package, an outcross sire who can get early two year-olds that train on.

“I believe Husson will be a great asset for Queensland.”

Mining labour hire and managed workforce services specialist One Key Resources is seeing a rebound in demand for qualified mining personnel and is on the hunt nationally for suitable workers to fill a wide variety of mining jobs.

One Key Resources managing director Grant Wechsel said that along with an increasing demand for skilled mining workers he is also seeing an increase in wages.

“If I could have another 500 qualified workers lined up outside our offices across the country today, I would be able to put them into good resources jobs tomorrow,” Mr Wechsel said.

“The demand is there from major mine owners across all commodities including coal, iron ore and gold, as well as with major mining contractors.

“We’re talking the full range from open cut and underground operations, especially from the established mining areas in Queensland, New South Wales and Western Australia.

Mr Wechsel said that One Key is hiring mainly for longer term contracts of a year or more, rather than just filling short term positions. A varied skill set is in demand including dump truck and multi skilled operators, diesel fitters, auto electricians as well as underground miner drivers, operators and experienced tradespeople.

“Following the downturn many workers left the resources industry due to downsized operations or less mines operating, but we’re now seeing the rebound first-hand particularly since commodity prices have lifted.  While there are a variety of opinions on how long commodity prices will remain buoyant, the demand for skilled workers can’t be denied.

“We are able to offer jobs with tenure, including a range of casual, contract and permanent employment in any state.”

One Key Resources has labour supply contracts with almost 100 mine sites nationally and can offer a huge variety of roles in production, maintenance and for professionals.

Rugby league legend Darren Lockyer is a director of One Key Resources and plays a key role in business development as well as client and community relations. 

One Key has extensive operations throughout Queensland, News South Wales, Western Australia and in the Northern Territory servicing the mining industry as well as maintenance and infrastructure projects supporting the mining and oil & gas industries. 

Brisbane developer Majella Property Developments is progressing with its plans to transform Woolloongabba’s historic Broadway Hotel and surrounds into a world class residential, commercial and food and dining destination with the lodging of its development application with the Brisbane City Council.

The Broadway Hotel will be brought back to life and be the historical centrepiece of the $260million development on the 3420 sqm site, encompassing 44 Balaclava Street and 85 & 93 Logan Road, Woolloongabba.

The development application reveals the site will feature a multi-level apartment tower featuring a total of 262 apartments across one, two, three and four bedroom configurations. The Broadway site will also include a three-level commercial and retail podium which will incorporate the heritage-listed hotel and 40 commercial sites.

A total of 379 car parking spaces will be provided along with 113 bike parks across three basement levels of the tower.

The hotel which was completed in 1890 was designed by prominent architectural firm John Hall & Son. It was extensively damaged by fire in 2010.

Majella Group founder Professor Frank Monsour said, “Broadway will redefine this important precinct in Woolloongabba with heritage values central to the design.

“We are thrilled to be able to bring the Broadway Hotel back to life and develop a vibrant commercial precinct with food and dining central to the experience.

“The Broadway residential tower will also incorporate generous rooftop facilities including entertaining and meeting areas, pools and a spa. Residents will have plenty of green space on the podium level and all will have access to some of the most magnificent views of Brisbane.

“We’re pleased to be bringing innovations to the Broadway development including centralised recycling, cutting edge Bloomframe windows and the largest automated car parking system in Australia.”


Majella Property Developments will use some of the development profits from the apartment tower to restore the hotel which otherwise has been deemed to be economically unviable as a restoration project on its own due to the extensive damage suffered.

Majella has based its plans for the precinct on a laneways concept with the Broadway’s Gothic appeal influencing the style along with elements from New York and Melbourne.

Depending on approval timing construction is expected to start late in 2017 and be completed in 2019.

Broadway is designed by award-winning architect Elizabeth Anderson of Hayes Anderson Lynch Architects.

Majella Property Developments last year completed its 91-apartment Radius Apartments development at O’Keefe Street in Woolloongabba, which also incorporates Oaks Woolloongabba serviced accommodation.