About
Recognising that our business is ultimately about the production of high quality beef is what encourages Gyranda’s active involvement in a wide range of industry initiatives. As a result, Gyranda is consistently at the fore front of general industry and breed specific developments and is recognised as a pioneer in the development and implementation of breed testing standards. Confidence for our buyers is what drives this.
Gyranda is proud to be a family run business. We have been passionate about what we do for five generations. The History of Gyranda is the basis for our success and underpins our Breeding Philosophy . We hope that our combination of enthusiasm for newness and innovation, and high regard for the traditional methods of our forerunners – is obvious to you and enshrined in the quality of cattle we produce.
Peter and Nikki Mahony ~ directors
Peter and Nikki manage the operation, and share ownership of the Gyranda Pastoral Company. Nikki (daughter of Burnett and Louise Joyce) and Peter met in Brisbane whilst both studying Agricultural Economics. They have four children – Josephine, Christopher, Patrick and Dominic, and for eight years prior to 2009 owned and operated nearby commercial cattle property “Woolshed”. In 2009 the family moved to France for 18 months and upon their return, shifted focus by buying into “Gyranda”.
Both Peter and Nikki maintain a strong commitment to biological farming and retain robust links to industry research in the areas of genetics, soil health and grazing management. On a broader scale they are dedicated to telling a positive story about agriculture both in Australia and overseas in the belief that we, as farmers, have a responsibility to build stronger connections to the end consumer.
Nikki and Peter focus on encouraging young people interested in agriculture through internships, work experience, mentoring and leadership programs. Nikki supports advocacy for educational equity for bush kids through her volunteer role with ICPA Aust (Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association) while Peter continues to be heavily involved in the Biodiversity, Natural Capital and Carbon conversation through his volunteer role on AgForce‘s Natural Resources committee, helping develop AgCare and private consultation (Isidore Agri & Eco Solutions).
CONNOR WARREN ~ Overseer and operations manager
Connor Warren joined the Gyranda team in January 2023. He, partner Nat and their two daughters reside at “Sandalwood” on Gyranda.
Connor capably runs our cattle program, leads junior staff and manages day-to-day operations.
Bringing with him enthusiasm and a wealth of experience, having previously worked on large operations in Queensland, the Northern Territory and The Kimberley region in Western Australia, Connor has a natural affinity with his young work crew and not much keeps him down. He is keen on his fishing and horses and has willingly thrown himself into the local community. We love watching this young family grow and are delighted to have them onboard – an integral part of the team.
Meryl Freshwater ~ station cook
Visitors to Gyranda are often treated to lavish hospitality by our culinary expert, Meryl Freshwater.
She is so much more than “just the cook” she declares herself to be. Feeding a band of people week-in, week-out for nearly forty years, here’s a woman who got that memo about being brilliant at the basics which in turns enables us to focus on our priority areas. Like all good cooks she dominates the kitchen and is a key part of training the young, and sometimes naïve, staff who work here.
In June 2023, the Queensland Country Life wrote an interest piece on Meryl cooking up a storm here at Gyranda for over 40 years. VIEW STORY HERE
Meryl also appeared in the 2025 episode of ABC Backroads about Theodore 100 year celebrations ~ available to watch on ABC iView
Burnett and Louise Joyce ~ Legacy and leadership
Burnett and Louise successfully ran Gyranda from the early 1970’s and established an enviable reputation for cattle selection and their commitment to innovation. They have four children and ten grandchildren.
Burnett was a councillor on the Santa Gertrudis Breeders’ (Australia) Association, a respected cattleman, cattle judge and holder of the R.W. Vincent award for “outstanding contribution to the Australian Beef breeding industry”. He died in May 2021, aged 74 years having made a profound impact on the lives of many. (READ MORE)
Louise is a renowned photographer whose images helped tremendously to tell the story of Gyranda, the people and cattle that grow here. She educated all four of her children through distance education, ran the first “Ladies Pages” in the Drovers Journal (the original Santa Gertrudis journal) recognising women in agriculture and has self-published several photo books, including “Sale-O and Smokos” (2019) and “The Way Things Were” (2023). Louise now divides her time between “Crowsnest” in Emu Park and “Hilltop” at Gyranda.
