Co-directors of Skybury Coffee and The Australian Coffee Centre, Ian and Marion MacLaughlin, share a passion for things Australian and a deep connection to the land.

Since they arrived on the Atherton Tablelands in 1987, the couple has worked extremely hard to establish Skybury Coffee internationally, and set about a new challenge with the opening of their multi-million dollar Australian Coffee Centre in April 2006.

South African born Ian was brought up in Zimbabwe and, as a captain in the national army, made the decision to leave the country in 1981 shortly after Mugabe’s presidency commenced. The MacLaughlin’s journey to Australia took them to Oman where Ian worked for the Sultan of Oman’s Army and then for a time in the UK where he worked in the insurance and retirement industries.

Ian, Marion and their children immigrated to Perth, Australia in 1987. “We'd made our first foray into Australia after leaving Zimbabwe and we knew that culturally and climatically, this is where we wanted to stake our future", says Ian. After looking at various business options in Western Australia Ian and Marion rode their BMW R80GS motorbike the length of the country until they found the Atherton Tablelands.

"We rode up the Palmerston Highway, and the Tablelands were laid out in front of us. I remember we stopped at the Tolga Scrub (a 250 meter section of rainforest outside the Tolga township) and we just thought ‘this is where we are going to live’.”

Ian and Marion bought the Skybury coffee plantation that year. The 300 acre property perched right at the apex of the Great Dividing Range enjoys 360 degree views, and is now diversified into papaya, other exotic fruits and, naturally, there's the coffee.

Ian and Marion were the first people in Australia since the late 1800’s to produce a commercial crop of coffee. They were also first to export raw 'green' coffee which they sent it to Japan in 1990. They are still active in thismarket, and Skybury remains the largest exporter of Australian grown coffee.

In any given year, approximately 50% of the coffee crop is exported. Skybury Coffee can be found throughout Europe, Canada and Japan in specialty and discerning businesses.

As Chairman of the Australian Coffee Growers Association for approximately 15 years, Ian has an in-depth knowledge of the Australian coffee producing scene and has played a pivotal role in the development of the Australian coffee industry, co authoring the Australian Coffee Growers Association Quality Assurance manual and setting the standard for Australian Coffee growers. He believes The Tablelands has a wonderful climate for growing coffee which matches the great African coffee producing regions for climate and soil conditions.

Ian has extended his considerable knowledge of coffee production into the engineering field as a consultant manufacturer of coffee harvesters and dryers. His current coffee harvester can pick one coffee tree every 2 seconds and is kinder to the plant than handpicking.

In 1990, the MacLaughlins introduced the Sweet Red Papaya (papaya) and quality packaging to the Australian papaya market. They are now the largest growers of red papaya in Australia and not only is their papaya healthy to eat, it is delicious. Skybury papaya can be found throughout Australia at quality grocers and supermarkets.

Skybury’s Awards

• 2008 - Golden Bean Awards (Gold Medal) - Skybury beans win Best Australian Coffee for Jasper Coffee.
• 2006 - Tropical North Queensland Tourism Award - Best New Tourism Development
• 2006 - Australian Ethnic Business Awards - Initiative Award to Australian Coffee Centre.
• 2006 - Winner Urban Development Institute of Australia - best retail commercial development in NQ
• 2006 - National Master Builders Association Award - Best Commercial/Tourism Development in Australia to The Australian Coffee Centre.
• 2004 - Winner of the Cairns Region Export Awards Agribusiness Award
• 2003 - Winner of the Australian British Chamber of Commerce Agribusiness Award
• 1999 - Nominated for the "Premier of Queensland Award for Export Achievements"