‘If you are successful you should give back’: Ireland family wins major business award

The family behind Cairns’ most well-known car dealership took out the Legacy Award at Cairns Chamber of Commerce’s Business Excellence Awards.

Richard Ireland and Patricia O'Neill. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

On the 100-year anniversary of when their grandfather first opened a Cairns in business, a loved Cairns family have been honoured with a major award.

The Ireland family were presented with the Legacy Award at Cairns Chamber of Commerce’s Business Excellence Awards at a swanky gala event on Friday, October 20.

Ireland’s of Cairns was established in 1923 by Francis Ireland MBE before finally being sold earlier this year to national dealership Eagers Automotive by his grandsons Richard and David Ireland.

Francis Ireland MBE a "small man with a big heart" moved to Cairns in 1904 after Ipswich was hit floods and then the plague.

The Cairns Chamber of Commerce said the Legacy Award was normally presented to an individual who had successfully run a business and with a community contribution above that went “well beyond” profit, but this year was awarded to an entire family.

The Ireland’s have history of investing in and supporting the Cairns community through not-for-profit and sporting clubs including Rotary, Red Cross, the Far North Queensland Youth Assistance Fund, the Reef and Rainforest Research Centre, Advance Cairns, Cairns Choral Society and the Cairns Regional Art Gallery.

Richard Ireland said he was “surprised” to get the award.

He said his grandfather moved here with his family from Ipswich to escape the economic impacts of plague when he was five. There were four plague outbreaks in Ipswich between 1900 and 1908.

“He was a very gentle, humble and giving man” he said of the man who began a mechanical repair shop in 1923 mainly fixing and selling motorbikes.

“He was a tiny man about four foot nine, with a big heart”.

Leah Carter at the Cairns Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards, held at the Cairns Convention Centre. Picture: Brendan Radke

It was also a time where infant mortality was high, mothers often died in childbirth and there was close to no welfare state.

“They had a very strong chambers of commerce in Cairns and if someone needed help or had a big problem they made sure the hat got passed around and people dug deep,” he said.

“He taught my father and us that if you were successful you give back.”

His father Ron Ireland OAM planned and built the current premises in Mulgrave Rd a bold business move which transformed Ireland’s into one of the best dealerships ever built in Australia. He later expanded into farm machinery, golf and turf equipment.

Cairns businessman Ron Ireland (front left) pictured with his father Francis Ireland (front right) and three sons (rear, left to right) Tony, Richard and David.

Richard said his father extended his grandfather’s legacy of helping the community.

“Perhaps even more so” he said of his father who he describes as “very generous and very determined”.

In presenting the award Professor Stephen Boyle, Dean of the College of Business Law and Governance at James Cook University, said “despite the Ireland family’s many achievements they are definitely not ones to seek out the limelight”.

“They remain humble and steadfast in their service. Often operating under the radar. Their contributions have left an indelible mark on Far North Queensland, making the region stronger, more prosperous and a better place for all who call home,” he said.

Blair King, Cassie Blackeby and Anthea Saliba at the Cairns Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards, held at the Cairns Convention Centre. Picture: Brendan Radke

More than 60 businesses and entrepreneurs across ten categories were nominated in the Cairns Business Excellence Award’s this year, the rest of the winners were:

Business Technology Award: WholeLife Pharmacy & Health Foods Pease Street

Community Contribution Excellence Award: Kinetic - Cairns

Customer Service Excellence Award - Trade, Retail & Services: The Conservatory Bar

Customer Service Excellence Award - Professional Services: Reaston Drummond Law

Indigenous Business Excellence Award: Australian Training Works

Jaydah Savage, Marc Harbrow and Esther Gaffney at the Cairns Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards, held at the Cairns Convention Centre. Picture: Brendan Radke

Innovation Excellence Award:Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation

Marketing & Communications Excellence Award: Bang Media

People Management Excellence Award: Freedom Planning

Sustainability & Environmental Excellence Award: Green Island Resort

Emerging Leader Award: Claire Simmons

Legacy Award: The Ireland Family

Originally published as ‘If you are successful you should give back’: Ireland family wins major business award