rowing bananas in Tully, many had tried before WW2, but no one could match the success of Stanley Mackay, who started Mackays family banana business, back in 1945. The company has since blossomed into a 4th generation team led by five brothers and cousins, who have since developed the Smart Banana, a product exclusively grown and packaged by Mackays. Seventy years on, it is safe to say that (Grandad) Mackay pioneered the Queensland banana industry, which now produces over 90% of Australia’s bananas. 
After growing up on a banana plantation in the Nambour area, Stan had an urge to get back to the land in 1945 and give growing a go in Tully. Chinese settlers had been relatively successful growing and shipping to southern markets up until the start of the first World War when the steamers ceased to operate and caused the farms to fold. Stan started growing on leased land, but was able to purchase his first 84 acres in 1955 on Carmoo Creek which was devastated the following year in 1956 by Cyclone Agnus. After that, together with his sons, he was able to build it all back up again and bought an additional 180 acres in 1958. The company continued to expand after his retirement in the late 70’s, doubling the size of the business in 2000. After his death in 1990, the business has continued to expand and now spans 7 farms, employing around 400 staff, turning out over $50 million worth of bananas a year, 2.5 million cartonsFor his work, Stanley was awarded Australia's highest honour the 'Medal of the Order of Australia’ in 1985.
Cameron MacKay, Stephen MacKay, Barrie MacKay, John MacKay (dec'd), Robert MacKay, Daniel MacKay, Gavin MacKay.
There are currently three 4th generation family members working fulltime in the business, with seven other 4th generation family members workingpart-time. The family is continuing the success started by Stanley all those years ago, with 3000+ acres planted for 2016.
Smart bananas
The smart banana was developed with varieties selected by Stanley Mackay back in the 1960's, varieties which the family has stuck with over time and believes is what give their company a better tasting banana. The bananas are harvested green and brought into the packing shed where they are processed and packaged, and put into their special environmentally friendly plastic wrapping which helps the bananas stay a constant even ripeness, retaining moisture and making a micro climate for the bananas to survive in. Once purchased, customers are advised to keep them at room temperature and they should last 3 – 5 days.
Along with the smart banana, the company has also developed new and interesting ways to reach more customers with the introduction of banana vending machines, back in 2013. The vending machines are stocked with Smart bananas, which are kept at 12 degrees, retailing at $2 for three, or $3 for five.
Click here to hear Rhyll Cronin from the Australian Banana Growers Council (ABGC) speaks about the vending machines and the positive effect they have on the banana industry as a whole.
Mackays currently has 7 banana vending machines in and around Brisbane and the machines have been so successful that the healthy vending concept has branched into a project called City Pantry, which provides additional machines for seasonal fruit and veg, along with other nutritional food and drinks.
City Pantry is lead by Queensland fruit growers, the Mackay family, and is attracting widespread interest in Queensland, inter-state and abroad. The vending machines are stocked daily with seasonal fruit and vegetables, nuts and ready-made snacks of ripe avocado, cherry tomatoes and crackers, healthy meals, Greek-style gourmet yoghurts, fresh salads, smoothies and gluten-free savoury snacks.
For more information:
Nadia Mackay
Mackays
Email: info@mackays.com.au
www.mackays.com.au