Lake Barrine tractor accident victim identified as Mario Raccanello, former Tully farmer

A multi-generational Far North man of a well-known and respected family has been identified as the victim of a fatal tractor accident, as his community shares their tributes.

A MULTI-GENERATION Tully local and dedicated cane grower is being remembered as a reliable, loyal and honest man with his tragic death sending shockwaves through the tight-knit agricultural town.

Mario Raccanello, 59, died on Tuesday following an accident on a private property near Lake Barrine involving a front bucket tractor.

Mr Raccanello had only recently sold his farm at Tully and it’s understood he and wife Franca were in the process of moving north to phase into semi-retirement.

Close family friend and Tully pharmacist Raymond Evans said he’d known Mr Raccanello since their kids started primary school together, many years ago.

Former Tully canegrower Mario Raccanello was killed in a tractor incident near Lake Barrine on Tuesday.

RELATED: Grandmother killed in crash ‘lived a full life’ on epic solo trips

“He was a very good friend, a reliable, loyal and honest man who was larger than life,” Mr Evans said.

“He will be dearly missed. It’s very shocking news.”

Division 2 councillor Teresa Millwood who grew up in Tully also knew the Raccanello family with her brothers attending school with Mr Raccanello.

“He was very well-known. His mum was the Mayor of the Cardwell Shire Council, and they’re a very-well respected family,” Cr Millwood said.

“Mario was very strong in the community, very generous with his time. He and his wife were passionate about dancing and played a big part in teaching kids to dance for the debutant ball in Tully. My condolences to his family.”

Mr Raccanello was also an innovative cane farmer who enjoyed the challenges of the industry.

Former cane grower Mario Raccanello was an innovative farmer. Photo supplied.

RELATED: Far Northeners we farwelled in 2021

In 2015, faced with depleted soils, escalating fertiliser costs and increasing pressure to reduce nitrogen run-off into the Great Barrier Reef, Mr Raccanello was among the first growers to trial bio-fertiliser on a 370ha farm.

At the time he said being a part of a network of farmers who were involved in innovation and conducting many different trials was invaluable.

Canegrowers Innisfail chairman Joe Marano said his thoughts were with the Raccanello family.

“I didn’t know him personally, but we had a few meetings together, he was always cheerful and working towards better outcomes for cane farmers,” Mr Marano said.

“A truly tragic loss.”

Mr Raccanello and his wife were also active members of the Silkwood Clay Target Club, with president Duncan Sutherland describing him as a “top bloke” that was willing to complete any task put in front of him.

Originally published as Lake Barrine tractor accident victim identified as Mario Raccanello, former Tully farmer