our story

In 1939 William (Bill) Francis Brook took up the Adria Downs Pastoral lease to the west of Birdsville in what is known as the Simpson Desert.

Prior to purchasing this first lease, Bill had travelled from Adelaide to Cordillo Downs Station as a 17 year old where he worked as a station hand. 

After moving to Birdsville and taking up the Adria Downs lease Bill met his future wife Dorothy Annandale Gaffney, whose family had lived in the area since the late 1800’s. Dorothy had grown up at Annandale which was a small pastoral lease to the north of Adria.

After purchasing the Adria Downs lease, Bill and Dorothy continued to acquire pastoral leases in the area before eventually combining them to create what is known as Adria Downs Station of today. In 1947 Bill and Dorothy had their only child David, who spent his primary schooling in Birdsville before attending boarding school at Rostrevor College in Adelaide.

In the mid 60’s David returned home to assist his father with their business in Birdsville, both with the local grocery store and on the property. A partnership was formed during this time, with father and son continuing to build their holdings and cattle production.

Over time more properties were purchased and today the company operates its organic beef production on Adria Downs, Cordillo Downs Station, Kamaran Downs Station, Murnpeowie Station, Alton Downs Station and Gilling.

Brook Pastoral Company is proud to be one of the leaders in organic beef production throughout Australia and continues to encourage and foster the development of the industry across the globe.