Kasey Pryor, Cameron Hawes with Danny and Tara Milne.
A fresh and exciting chapter has begun at Milne’s Country Meats, a beloved butcher shop that has served the Young community for over two decades. Long-time butcher and employee, Cam Hawes, has officially taken ownership of the business, stepping into the role with enthusiasm and a fresh vision for the future.
Cam, who brings 12 years of butchering experience to the table, recently shared his excitement about this new venture. “I’ve been a butcher for 12 years now. I started when I was just 13, enrolling in the butchering course,” he said.
Originally from Maitland, Cam has lived in various towns before settling in Young. While he’s not a native of the area, he is familiar with small towns and is eager to build strong roots in the community.
“I moved to Young from Newcastle with the goal of buying the shop,” he explained. Having worked at Milne’s for six months prior to purchasing the business on July 1st, Cam has already made a noticeable impact on the shop’s offerings and overall atmosphere.
When asked about the experience of owning a business, Cam’s face lit up. “It’s going really well,” he said. “I enjoy being able to throw around new ideas and take charge of the direction we’re going in. It’s a lot of fun to mix things up a little bit.”
One of the ways Cam is doing just that is by introducing “easy meals” to the shop’s menu pre-made, ready-to-cook dishes that are perfect for busy families. “We’ve started offering simple meals that people can just throw in the oven flavour-packed, easy-to-make dishes that don’t require much thinking. It’s all about convenience and quality.”
These easy meal options are just one example of how Cam is working to expand the shop’s selection, bringing in more gourmet products and unique offerings. He’s excited about the reception the changes have received so far, noting that foot traffic to the shop has been steadily increasing.
“It’s going great,” he said. “We’re getting a lot of people coming in, and it feels like the community is really supporting us.”
When asked about what inspired him to become a butcher, Cam shared a personal story that dates back to his childhood. “When I was still in school, I used to work on a dairy farm on weekends and during school holidays. They did some on-farm butchering, and that’s what first sparked my interest in the trade,” he recalled.
In addition to his passion for butchering, Cam is also committed to sourcing the best quality produce for his customers. “I always try to keep it as local as possible,” he explained. “If I can’t get it from right here in Young, I’ll go to the next town over to make sure we’re getting the best quality meat available.”
Consistency in quality is a priority for Cam, as he recognises the importance of maintaining high standards for the customers who rely on Milne’s for their meat needs. “Quality is the hardest thing making sure it’s the same every week. It’s expensive, but it’s worth it to ensure that our customers are always getting the best.”
Cam’s decision to make the move to Young wasn’t taken lightly. While it was a big shift from Newcastle, where he’d been living before, he had always wanted to own his own shop. “I came down with the intention to buy the shop,” he said. “I definitely wanted to test it out first, see how things went, but I always knew this was the direction I wanted to go in.”
For Cam, the move to Young feels like a return to his roots. “I grew up in a small town, so I love the sense of community here,” he said. “It’s a great place to be, and I’m excited to be a part of it.”
As the new owner of Milne’s Country Meats, Cam Hawes is committed to continuing the shop’s long-standing tradition of providing top-notch service and quality products while also bringing his own creative touch to the business. With his passion, expertise, and dedication to the local community, it’s clear that this local butcher is ready to take the reins and make Milne’s Country Meats even better than before.
– Liam Stuart
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