Who We Are
We create a safe and healthy environment in which to produce excellent livestock and services, directly or indirectly, to the meat industry. We take pride in the provision of a varied and fulfilling lifestyle for the Coolana team who are passionate about the properties and operations.
Gubbins of Coolana (referred to as Coolana) is a fourth generation family farming operation that embraces modern practices with a visionary approach to everything we do. Coolana operates across two states with contiguous properties at Chatsworth, Victoria. In 2006 the operation expanded to South Australia, with the purchase of Hamilla Downs at the Coorong, south of Meningie. The South Australian property stable has expanded further since 2011 (See Property Profiles).
The operation consists of Coolana Angus and XSimm Black Simmentals, excelling in beef seed stock production, and a prime lamb enterprise. The sheep operation is run only on the Victorian properties. The team at Coolana prides itself on an extensive level of world-wide research into genetics, beef production trends and market drivers. This positions us to provide our clients with market leading outcomes. Coolana is focussed on providing a happy and friendly working relationship between management, staff and clients.
Mark Gubbins
Managing Director
Mark studied at Glenormiston Agricultural College in Victoria. He is passionate about producing top-quality livestock. Throughout his 30 years at Coolana he has developed and implemented many innovative farming techniques with an emphasis on production environment and sustainability. This has propelled Coolana to be a progressive and highly successful operation. Mark embraces new agricultural technologies to improve operational efficiency and livestock quality.- Past President of Australian Sheep Breeders Association – instrumental in successfully moving the annual ASBA Sheep Show from Melbourne to Bendigo in 2000
- Past President of Angus Australia 2011-2013
- Current board member of Certified Angus Group
- Current board member of Aglive – an agricultural software innovation company
- District Group Officer of Westmere CFA – Victoria’s largest CFA group
- Holds Private Pilot Licence
Anna Gubbins
Chief Financial Officer
The most indispensable member of the team! Anna, originally from England, has turned her hand to just about everything in her thirty years at Coolana. A trained seamstress and dressmaker, Anna, as a wife and mother of two young boys, turned her creative talents to establishing the renowned Woolly Worker jackets. The Woolly Worker business enabled her to continue her sewing, but also to return home regularly to the UK to visit family and friends. Her non-rural background was challenged early on, with animal husbandry and the Aussie country ways becoming the love of her life (along with Mark!). She is now a full-time farmer and can deal with almost anything stock-related. Her unstinting loyalty to her family and dedication to the Coolana operation is legendary – she just gets things done! Along with the daily farming tasks, Anna also manages the financial records across the whole business.- Qualified AI technician with Pregnancy Testing ability
- CFA Volunteer, District Communications Officer – Chatsworth Brigade
Max Gubbins
Operations Manager, Coolana
Max graduated from Swinburne University with a degree in Bachelor of Commerce. In 2013 he travelled (and worked) extensively throughout the UK and Europe. Upon returning home in 2014 he made the decision to join the family business at Coolana. With a period of settling in and getting a feel for the operation, Max took over the role of Operations Manager of the Chatsworth group of properties.- CFA Volunteer – Chatsworth Brigade
- Lifetime Ewe – sheep management course
- Passionate water skier
- Competent Aussie Rules footballer
Martin Beltrame
Cattle Operations Manager, Coolana
Originally from South Australia, Martin came to Coolana as Cattle Overseer in February 2011. He graduated from Roseworthy University of Adelaide, with a Diploma in Agricultural Productions. Winning a Shorthorn Society scholarship for travel to USA in 2009/10, Martin was able to travel extensively for 9 months, visiting Shorthorn studs, ag. shows and Youth Conferences. Martin became Cattle Operations Manager, Coolana, in 2013.David Watson
Manager, Hamilla Downs
Mark wishes he’d had a “David” twenty five years ago! He started working for Mark in 2006, with the purchase of Hamilla Downs. David is multi-skilled and manages the property as “his own”. He often works alongside his wife, Christine, who assists with moving cattle, checking waters and daily farm management tasks. David is a community gem who is always helping others.Damien Travers
Operations Manager, Carinya
Damien began working at Carinya almost immediately after it was purchased in 2011. He is passionate about the property and has made many improvements to the infrastructure on Carinya. A natural stockman, he has a wonderful relationship with the cattle, knowing the idiosyncrasies of nearly every beast – and can probably name most of them too!- Country music enthusiast and frequent visitor to the annual Deni Ute Muster
- Kelpie breeder
- Keen hunter
Ben Gubbins
The eldest son of Mark and Anna, Ben has worked on-and-off at Coolana since leaving school in 2006. He has been able to use his many talents in various areas including on the farm, film sets, excavation work, mining, trucking and engineering – to name a few. He is now following his dream of being a commercial helicopter pilot – and aiming for rescue or fire-fighting duties… introducing Captain Ben Gubbins! The Gubbins family succession plan has made provision for Ben to re-enter our farming operations if and when he so desires.- CFA Volunteer – 2nd Lieutenant – Chatsworth Brigade
- Kite surfing
- Scuba Diving
- Keen shooter – Chief pest control officer of Coolana
Jodie Leske
Farm Secretary
Jodie started working at Coolana in 2008 on a part-time basis. She assists Mark with the data entry of cattle records. Jodie and her husband Rod live in nearby Woorndoo with their three children. They run a small farm – Jodie in charge of the animal husbandry, and Rod of the machinery! Jodie also does laboratory testing from home. She loves to relax with a good book!Peter Gubbins
Transport Manager
In charge of delivering Coolana cattle to their new homes, Mark and Peter (cousins) have worked together for 30 years. Peter is the smiling face who will greet you when delivering your valuable purchases.