Community & Business
27 August, 2024
Hamlyn’s Modern Meats turns 30
Tony and Sandra James are two of Oakey’s most recognisable faces in the main street having worked there since 1994.
Together, the pair has owned and operated Hamlyn’s Modern Meats for a total of 30 years.
The butchers received awards in 2017 for Traditional Aussie Beef, and Butchers Best Beef, the second category of which they replicated in 2021 and 2022.
In 2019, they were awarded with the Sausage King award.
Mr and Mrs James pride themselves on being a traditional butcher in a world which has undergone many changes since they set up shop in 1994.
“We know where our meat comes from,” Mr James said.
Suppliers include beef from Jimbour, lambs from 4AK Road and Bowenville, and of course Oakey Beef Exports.
A passing customer told the Champion that they appreciate the local hands-on aspect of the business.
“They’ll go the extra mile,” the customer said.
The son of a railway worker who worked at Malu siding, Mr James began his butchering apprenticeship under the old Hamlyn business in the 1980s with Ross, Neil and Len Hamlyn.
Mrs James comes from the Inwood family which has roots at Boodua.
After taking over the business in 1994, the pair modernised operations.
An old cabinet which failed regulation standard was sent out west to a town butchery where the regulations hadn’t taken off.
The front counter of the shop was completely changed.
Some new ideas didn’t take off, however.
“We were the first butcher shop on the Downs to have a licence to sell emu, kangaroo and crocodile,” Mr James said.
“But all the old customers didn’t like it.
“They thought we were going to bring in the whole body!
“They didn’t realise the meat was going to be already cut up.
The James’ have seen many employees come and go.
Former employee Shaun Radnedge is the now the Mayor of Murweh Shire (major centre Charleville), while Chris Huey is high up at Kilcoy Meats.
They’ve also witnessed changing consumer trends.
“A lot go up to Toowoomba for their shopping now,” Mr James said.
“The saleyards killed off the town.”
One thing which hasn’t changed though is the presence of Hamlyn’s Modern Meats in the centre of town.
