Key Takeaways
- NTCA honors Bowen as a “calm and inspirational leader,” recognizing his passion and dedication.
- He is noted for his leadership during the 2011 live cattle export ban to Indonesia.
- Bowen served as Cattle Australia’s inaugural CEO for five months before stepping down due to health issues.
While there are speculations about cancer being the cause of Luke Bowen’s demise, the exact details have not been revealed. It has been reported that he passed away due to health issues.
Australia’s agriculture sector is saddened by the passing of Luke Bowen, the former NTCA and Cattle Australia chief, a highly respected leader in the industry.
Following his departure on August 25, 2024, an outpouring of tributes has emerged from colleagues, friends, and family who regarded Bowen as an outstanding individual.
In a statement, the NTCA (Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association) said Mr Bowen would be remembered as a “calm and inspirational leader of the NT industry.” The NTCA continued:
His passion, kindness, and unwavering commitment made him an invaluable asset to our industry and to Northern Australia.
Cattle Australia released a statement that read:
Luke’s contribution to our industry, regional communities and as a friend and colleague cannot be understated. Luke was instrumental to the establishment of Cattle Australia and we’re sure the nation’s grass-fed cattle producers will dip their hats to one of our best today.
Markus Rathsmann, NT pastoralist and former Cattle Council president, described Mr Bowen as “a person of the utmost integrity and skill”. He said:
We have lost the greatest advocate the northern pastoral industry ever had.
Having taken up the role of inaugural chief executive of Cattle Australia in 2023, he stepped down due to health reasons in September, only five months after his appointment.
As the head of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Biosecurity in the Northern Territory, Mr Bowen was best known for his role as CEO of the NT Cattlemen’s Association during the 2011 export trade halt.
From NTCA CEO To Cattle Australia Chief: Luke Bowen’s Career Highlights
Raised in Western Australia, Luke worked for the Commonwealth before serving as CEO of the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association (NTCA) from 2008 to 2014, proving his leadership and advocacy during challenging times for the Australian cattle industry.
During his six years leading the NTCA, he guided the industry through its most challenging crisis, the 2011 ban on live cattle exports to Indonesia.
Following the live export ban, Luke was committed to strengthening ties with Indonesia and played a significant role in developing an exchange program that allowed Indonesian university students to work on NT cattle stations.
NTCA Chief Executive, Will Evans, said:
One of Luke’s biggest strengths was his vision and, in the wake of the 2011 [live export ban], the cattle industry needed to heal and we needed to restart and engage with our market.
He further added:
Luke saw all of these bright, wonderful young people in Indonesia and he created a program that has now seen more than 400 students come to Australia, work on cattle stations, and we have built relationships with our market like no other industry I can think of has.
Having led the NTCA, he held senior roles in the NT’s Department of Industry and persisted in fostering connections with Indonesia’s cattle industry.
In 2023, Luke was appointed the inaugural chief executive of Cattle Australia, the new peak body for grass-fed cattle producers. His duties began on April 17, 2023.
After he was appointed chief executive of Cattle Australia, AgForce Queensland wrote:
Congratulations to Luke Bowen – the man taking over the reins as the first ever CEO of Cattle Australia. He is well known for leading the cattle industry through one of it’s toughest times No doubt Luke will do a stellar job and AgForce looks forward to working with him.
Previously, Bowen also served 10 years with the Indigenous Land Corporation, the Agriculture Industry Advisory Council, and the Connellan Airways Trust.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Luke Bowen grew up on a mixed farm in Western Australia.
- He previously served on the ANZAC Centenary Advisory Board and was Principal of Government Affairs at Santos.
