Lochlan Wiley Barry opens Murgon Wiley’s Butchers

A young country go-getter bought his first 16ha property at the age 18, and two years later has opened a new business in his hometown.

Born and bred in Murgon, Lochlan Wiley Barry is his home town’s newest young entrepreneur.

Born and bred in Murgon, Lochlan Wiley Barry is his home town’s newest young entrepreneur.

On January 27, 2023, the 20-year-old opened the doors of his business Wiley’s Butchers to the Murgon community.

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Located at 71 Lamb Street in the heart of Murgon the shop caters for beef, chicken, pork and ready meal lovers.

Mr Wiley Barry said opening his own shop has been a dream of his during his eight-year apprenticeship at Jimmy Ryan Butchers in Murgon.

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“I’ve always wanted to do this,” Mr Wiley Barry said.

“I love working in the shop, I find it interesting and it relaxes me.

Lochlan Wiley Barry opens Murgon Wiley’s Butchers at age 20.

“I make a lot of niche easy meals, family pies and it is all local meat,” he said.

The butcher industry has changed considerably over the past few decades, with supermarkets competing with independent butchers and driving most of them out.

The former Murgon State School student said he had seen a change in the industry in his eight years of working as a butcher.

“I don’t have any competition in Murgon but my secret is to have a point of difference and lots of variety,” he said.

“My meat is quality and I do all of my ham and bacon on site, which comes from Swickers in Kingaroy.

“I handmake family pies with locally bought bodies of beef,” he said.

Lochlan Wiley Barry said preparing the shop for opening took hours of hard work over a six-month period and he thanked his staff and family for their support.

Mr Wiley Barry bought his own 16ha property at 18 years-of-age, and raises his own cattle for leisure.

“At 15, I was working up to 75 hours a week and I thought buying a property was a good way to spend my money,” he said.

“I spend most of my time at work but when I’m home I like to attend to my Red Angus cows and enjoy a few drinks with friends,” he said.

Mr Wiley Barry said preparing the shop for opening took hours of hard work over a six-month period and he thanked his staff and family for their support.

“The hardest part was keeping my mind focused with the lack of sleep.

“Everything kind of just fell into place. I am dyslexic so I struggle with reading and writing but there’s always a way around everything.

“The last week has been pretty smooth and I’ve been enjoying meeting customers everyday,” he said.

Wiley’s Butchers is open Monday to Friday, 6am-5.30pm and Saturday 6am-12noon.

Originally published as Lochlan Wiley Barry opens Murgon Wiley’s Butchers