Bill MacDonald is a third-generation cane farmer at Sandy Creek. After completing year 12 at Mackay State High School he spent 11 years in general freight transport followed by five years lazar levelling and carting cane. His last job, prior to returning to the farm, was working for the Shell Company of Australia delivering fuel. Bill and his wife purchased the home farm from his parents in 2005 then purchased more land and doubled the size of the farm. Since returning back home full time he has been elected a Member of the Mackay Area Committee at Canegrowers Mackay, since 2007. He was then elected onto the board of Canegrowers Mackay in 2015.
He currently holds a Diploma of Agriculture and is also BMP accredited which is above industry standard. He is also BONSUCRO accredited which is a worldwide accreditation for sustainable farming. He has a very hands-on approach to the wellbeing of the environment and the water quality entering the Great Barrier Reef. He looks forward to working with the board for an outcome which with benefit the sustainability of the agricultural industries and community.