Master Butchers
THE SAUSAGE KING OF THE WHITSUNDAYS! Don Cameron, AKA The Sausage King, is as well-known for his award-winning sausages as he is for his kind and charismatic nature. Quietly supporting most sausage sizzles and providing meat trays for raffles around the Whitsundays, Don and his partner Karen, are business owners with a commendable community spirit. The couple moved from Tasmania to the Whitsundays in March 2009, and opened their first butchery in Stewart Drive with only one casual staff member. Don has a passion for renovating rundown shops in good positions and used this skill to regenerate the Stewart Drive Butcher, bringing it back life. Through his hard work and dedication the couple now own two shops, employ 19 staff and operate a thriving wholesale section servicing many local restaurants. When he’s not buying stock, visiting local restaurants to catch-up with chefs or dealing with day to day operations of his business, Don likes to play golf or travel the country. His favourite times are when he can escape with Karen, visit new places, try fine food, drink fine wine and of course, play a round of golf!
At work, however, Don says the businesses would not be what they are today without the support and dedication of his highly skilled staff. Pictured below are two of his most long-term employees. To his right is Anthony Whyte who looks after the retail side of the business at Master Butcher Whitsunday and has 27 years of experience in the industry. On the left, is Brandon Dearnley, responsible for the wholesale side of the business and with a background in processing ham and bacon. Looking to the future, Don confesses he loves a challenge. “I like to be busy,” he says, “I don’t like being idle because I tend to go to sleep if I stop moving too long. I’ve been known to nod off in many chairs!” With this in mind, Don is excited about expanding the processing area to manufacture more smallgoods. The reputation for their gourmet bacon, ham and cabana has spread so much so that they are getting enquiries from across the region. “With our quality products and superior reputation hopefully we will continue to grow in the future and create more jobs for local people.”
photography by Norina Jane