McCRYSTAL AGRICULTURAL SERVICES

Meet the Team at McAg: where experience and people-centric values unite for Agricultural Excellence.

At McCrystal Agricultural Services, our dedicated team is the driving force behind our commitment to excellence. Each member brings a wealth of qualifications and hands-on experience to the table, ensuring that we deliver top-tier agricultural services. What truly sets us apart is our unwavering focus on people—the heartbeat of our success. We believe in fostering genuine connections with our clients and community, making every interaction not just a transaction, but a meaningful relationship.

Russell McCrystal

Russell McCrystal

Director
Russell was born and raised in Brisbane. In 2003 he graduated with a Bachelor of Agricultural Science from University of QLD. After studying and working in the food bowl of Queensland’s Lockyer Valley he gained further experience in various professional & operational roles across the Dairy and Horticultural industries. The Bundaberg region has been home since 2006. McCrystal Agricultural Services Pty Ltd was established in 2014 to supply low virus, clean sweet potato plant material and planting services to producers throughout the region. Since then, the business has grown to provide management and labour hire services across various farming industries throughout the Wide Bay & Central QLD areas. Away from the business Russell enjoys exploring the Great Barrier Reef with his wife & 3 children. He is also involved in volunteering & participating in various Industry, Sporting, School and Community groups including his local Bundaberg Bible Church.
Matthew Williams

Matthew Williams

Business Manager
Matthew was born and raised in the Bundaberg region and in 2013 graduated from Central Queensland University with a bachelor’s degree in business. He spent most of the following decade as the Business Manager for a local automotive retail/ service provider. Matthew also has a keen interest in cross cultural mission and aid, having completed multiple aid trips to countries in the Pacific and Asia regions. Matthew joined the McCrystal Ag Services team in 2021 and is now combining his passion for cross cultural missional aid with his extensive Business Management and Leadership experience, assisting in developing and facilitating work opportunities for Seasonal Workers from the Pacific and Timor-Leste. He is passionate about worker engagement and development, both on a personal and professional level and takes great joy in seeing Seasonal Workers achieve success in both their work and personal lives.
Julie Hamel

Julie Hamel

Seasonal Worker Recruitment Manager
Julie co-ordinates the recruitment of seasonal workers from several different countries. With a background in law, banking, and management, she is well equipped to liaise with the many Government Departments responsible for administering the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme. Julie oversees the ongoing training of seasonal workers in areas of English language proficiency, first aid, welfare & wellbeing, budgeting, women’s health, driver and forklift training. Her ability to respond to changing circumstances was ably demonstrated during the period of labour disruption caused by the Covid pandemic, when she took on the role of Quarantine Manager. By complying with Government regulations, new seasonal workers were able to be quarantined on farm, enabling staff levels to be maintained and labour requirements fulfilled.
Jerome Gorlick

Jerome Gorlick

ICT and Data Systems Manager

Jerome was born in Bundaberg and was subsequently raised in the local region. In 2015, while pursuing a bachelor’s degree in information technology through external studies, he embarked on his career as a farm hand. Jerome successfully completed his degree at the conclusion of 2018, showcasing a commitment to academic excellence.
In a strategic move towards the information technology sector in late 2020, Jerome transitioned from farming to a 15-month tenure with a local Medical Software provider, where he rapidly honed his development skills. Despite his successful foray into the IT domain, Jerome’s deep-rooted connection to agriculture persisted after more than five years of hands-on farming experience. In mid-2022, fuelled by a passion for development, he returned to full-time employment in a novel role dedicated to creating automated business systems. In this role, Jerome has been instrumental in designing and implementing business-dependent applications, replacing outdated paper-based processes and intricate spreadsheets. His focus revolves around enhancing compliance and efficiency, ensuring seamless access to critical information for business-critical reporting. This professional commitment aligns with his overarching goal of contributing to the advancement of automated systems within businesses. Outside of his professional pursuits, Jerome actively engages with the Bundaberg Bible Church and associated ministries, showcasing his dedication to community involvement. Additionally, he enjoys cultivating strategic thinking and problem-solving skills through his avid participation in board games during his leisure time.