Ian Campbell, the 56-year-old founder of dairy business Barambah Organics, and his daughter Hannah, 23, have been named as the two victims of a fatal light plane crash south of Brisbane on Monday.
Campbell founded Barambah Organics alongside his wife Jane in 2002. Private equity firm Tamara Capital bought a majority stake in the business in 2020 in a deal valuing it at $50 million, while the family kept a minority stake and continued to influence operations.
Barambah’s dairy products are sold in about 1400 stores nationwide. Last year, the brand took gold and silver at the Dairy Industry Association of Australia awards.
Barambah posted a condolence message on its Facebook page on Wednesday, expressing “great sadness” over the accident.
“Ian’s vision, leadership and dedication made a significant contribution to Barambah Organics and the broader dairy industry, leaving a lasting legacy that will be remembered by many,” the company wrote.
Australia’s National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has called Campbell a “highly respected figure” in the country’s agriculture industry. It also called Hannah a “bright young woman” with her life ahead of her.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) said that the Beechcraft A36 Bonanza aircraft crashed into terrain on September 7, resulting in the fatal injuries of its two occupants. The wreckage was engulfed in flames after the incident.
The Campbell family also founded sustainable-focused Mañana Pastoral in Queensland’s Goondiwindi region.
