Emerald farmer Ian Burnett identified as grandfather killed alongside grandson in Queensland

A Queensland community are reeling after the death of a grandfather and his grandson who were killed when an ATV rolled over into a dam.

Wyuna cotton farmer Ian Burnett died on Sunday afternoon along with his seven-year-old grandson.

Despite their best efforts to save them, police said they both died at the Wyuna Rd property.

Police were told the pair were riding in an ATV agricultural vehicle when it rolled down an embankment and into a dam on the property.

The 70-year-old grandfather is being remembered as as a passionate member of the Emerald community and devoted family man.

The third-generation farmer, who referred to himself as an advocate for agriculture, was an AgForce Regional Councillor, serving as AgForce State Vice President between 2008-2012 and General President between 2013-2014.

There he “represented and advocated on behalf of Queensland and Australian Farmers”.

Burnett grew up in a cattle farming family north of Clermont, before moving to Emerald and starting a cotton farm in 1983.

In a 2019 interview with Westfund’s non for profit magazine, Collective, Burnett said he found great pleasure in farming.

“I think the pleasure from farming is being able to produce good products, be a good guardian of the land and really take care of what we really cherish – and that’s the soils, the nutrients and really the whole ecology on the farm,” he told the publication.

“We get great pleasure out of doing the best we can for that.”

A passionate member of the local community, Burnett also served as a board member on the Emerald Co-Operative Society and also an member of the Rotary Club of Emerald.

He was also known to have used pink bales to help raise money for breast cancer research.

“The bales are an initiative of the cotton industry to raise funds for the McGrath Foundation, for breast cancer support,” he previously told Collective.

“It’s providing good funding for a very important research and organisation.”

Above all, Burnett was a devoted family man, stepping back from some responsibilities in recent years to spend more time with his ten grandchildren.

Central Highlands regional council mayor Janice Moriarty shared a tribute to the much loved local and his grandson on social media.

“On behalf of the Central Highlands Regional Council and the broader community, we extend our heartfelt thoughts and deepest sympathies to the Burnett families, their loved ones and friends,” she said.

AgForce Queensland said they were “deeply saddened by the passing of former General President Ian Burnett and his grandson in a tragic accident in Central Queensland”.

“A highly respected grain and beef producer, Ian was a dedicated member of the AgForce community for nearly 30 years and a leader who helped shape the path for others,” they said.

“Our thoughts are with Ian’s family, friends and the broader community at this incredibly difficult time.”

General President Shane McCarthy said he was “devastated” by the loss of Burnett and his “beloved grandson”.

“Ian was a devoted family man, a respected leader and a genuinely community-minded person,” he said.

Long-serving AgForce member Anthony ‘Bim’ Struss said Burnett was a special person.

“Ian was a special person, a good man in every sense of the word,” he said.

“His love for his family, his community and the agricultural industry was clear in everything he did.”

Board Director and Central Queensland Regional President John Baker called Burnett a “true gentleman”.

“Ian was a true gentleman, a dear friend, a devoted family man and a respected member of his community,” he said.