Meat the team at Master Butchers Whitsunday!

Meet Waylon
Co-Manager And Butcher At MBW On The Barbie

After eight years at Master Butchers Whitsunday and MBW On The Barbie, Waylon has certainly found his groove, carving out not just meat but also a satisfying career and lifestyle.

When he made the switch from a large supermarket's meat department, he was ready for a real challenge, and Master Butchers Whitsunday delivered—helping him improve his skills as a third-year apprentice and eventually complete his trade in 2017.

“They taught me how to properly bone beef, pigs, lambs, and process bacon, hams—all that stuff. There's a big difference in what you learn here,” said Waylon.

His passion for the craft goes beyond the basics. For Waylon, there’s something rewarding about preparing a whole animal into chops, roasts, or steaks.

“It’s really satisfying when someone wants a specific size roast or steak, and I cut it bang on.”

While the satisfaction of mastering his trade is a big part of the job, Waylon finds just as much joy in the interactions he has with his customers.

“I love this small community, it's nice and quiet, which makes it a great place to raise a family,” Waylon said.

“Plus, it's the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Where else would you want to live?”

But Waylon’s talents don’t stop at butchering. Since picking up the alto saxophone in grade five, music has been a major part of his life. Today, he plays in two local bands—the Whitsunday Big Band and Proserpine Citizens Band—where he gets to experiment with different genres and just enjoy making music.

When he’s not behind the butcher's block or playing his sax, you’ll likely find Waylon camping with his wife and two-year-old daughter, soaking up the serenity of the Whitsundays.

Describe your personality in three words
Reliable, funny, kind

Meet Tracie
Sales Assistant With On The Barbie

Tracie’s career switch came in the most unexpected way— quite literally with opportunity knocking.

After leaving her role at a discount retailer, it didn’t take long for her to find herself back in the workforce, thanks to a serendipitous visit from Karen, one of the owners of all four MBW businesses.

On her first day of unemployment, Karen appeared on Tracie’s doorstep, offering her a job on the spot. It was an opportunity that took Tracie by surprise but it felt like a perfect fit.

Her love for creating relationships with people in the community kept her passionate about customer service, so the transition to MBW On The Barbie allowed her to continue doing what she loves while picking up a few new skills.

“I’m learning how to make different delicacies,” Tracie shared.

“I’d never made a chicken Kiev before working here.”

The hands-on training has been a highlight for her, especially with Nicky by her side.

“Nicky shows me how to improve. She's an awesome trainer,” said Tracie.

Beyond the skills, it’s the camaraderie that Tracie enjoys most.

“They laugh at all my dad jokes,” she said with a grin.

One of her go-to jokes is, “What do pirates say on their 80th birthday? AYE Mmm-atey!”

Originally from Bondi, Tracie came to the Whitsundays nearly 30 years ago after falling in love with the area while on holiday.

“It reminded me of Bondi when they looked after their locals,” Tracie said with a laugh.

“They don't look after locals anymore in Bondi, it’s all yuppie now.”

But in the Whitsundays, Tracie found a place that still holds onto that tight-knit community feel.

“The community here is awesome; everyone steps up to help each other. It’s brilliant,” she said.

Describe your personality in three words:
Upbeat, reliable and hardworking

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Meet Nicky
Co-Manager At MBW On The Barbie

MBW On The Barbie has been serving up top-quality cuts and mouth-watering meals for a decade now, and at the heart of it all is Nicky, who has been with the business since day one.

Originally working in supermarkets and a bakery, Nicky felt the need for a change. Knowing the owners before joining, she saw an opportunity to carve out a new path in the butchery business. That decision led her to become an essential part of the MBW team.

Nicky spends most of her time behind the front counter, but her role stretches beyond customer service.

“I do pretty much everything except cut meat,” Nicky shared.

“I make all the products, I serve on the counter, and I also slice ham and bacon.”

Having been with MBW On The Barbie from the beginning, Nicky has had a front-row seat to the company’s growth. She’s seen it expand from one bustling store to four, saying it’s great to see the business thriving across the region.

When she’s not busy at MBW On The Barbie, Nicky is hard at work on another passion—renovating her home.

“They call me Bobette the Builder,” Nicky laughed.

“I renovate my home and build stuff at home. I’m a bit of an arty-farty type person.

“I have plants and enjoy making the house look nice.”

Her home, complete with a pool and a cozy spot for beers, is her haven. It’s where she spends time with her “crazy black Great Dane” named Jonesy, whom she affectionately refers to as her child now that her four children are grown and spreading their wings on their own adventures.

Describe your personality in three words
Hardworking, reliable, kind

Meet Lockie
Apprentice Butcher With MBW On The Barbie

From a young age, Lockie knew his calling.

Following in the footsteps of his uncle, he set his sights on becoming a butcher. Now, at just two-and-a-half years into his apprenticeship with MBW On The Barbie, Lockie is proving that his passion runs as deep as his skillset.

Lockie’s natural talent and keen interest in the craft have allowed him to thrive in his apprenticeship. He’s particularly proud of the progress he’s made, saying that his training at MBW On The Barbie pushed him ahead of schedule, picking up second-year skills during his first year on the job.

For Lockie, there’s nothing quite as satisfying as breaking down an animal and preparing it into different cuts that leave customers excited to take home a perfectly prepped steak or roast.

“The best part is seeing their faces when they get a good steak,” he shared.

His favourite task? Making sausages. While it might seem simple to the untrained eye, the art of crafting the perfect snag requires precision, speed, and a lot of practice.

“I’m getting pretty quick with them now,” Lockie said with a smile.

“I like making the thick ones, those take a bit more focus. They’re easy to overfill, and if you add just a bit too much pressure, they can burst, and they are a pain to clean when they explode all over the wall.”

Whether it’s mastering the art of sausage-making or breaking down a cut to perfection, he’s a butcher who takes pride in every step of the process.

Outside the shop, Lockie unwinds with his mates, spending his weekends fishing, pigging, or simply chilling out.

Describe your personality in three words
Easy-going, quick-learner, honest

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