About Great Western Corporation
Great Western Corporation (GWC) is a proudly Australian-owned private enterprise with a history stretching back to 1934. From a single truck carrying goods between Brisbane and Toowoomba, we have grown into a diversified group with operations in agriculture, real estate, and investments. Our story began with founder J.C. (Cyril) Anderson, C.B.E., whose entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to service laid the foundation for a group of companies that would shape industries across Australia. Over the decades, GWC has expanded through strategic acquisitions, innovation, and an unwavering focus on delivering quality and value to our customers.
Company History
Our Values
Integrity
Conducting business with honesty and respect.
Innovation
Embracing new ideas, technologies, and processes to create lasting value.
Sustainability
Managing resources responsibly for the long-term benefit of our communities and industries.
Excellence
Delivering quality and reliability in everything we do.
Board of Directors
Andrew Thornton
Managing Director (Property & investments)
Andrew Thornton is Joint Managing Director, responsible for overseeing the Property and Investment divisions within the group. Andrew joined the group in 1995 with Westco Truck Sales in Toowoomba as the Accountant, progressing to Dealer Principal, then Group Dealer Principal based in Brisbane in 1999. Prior to GWC, Andrew has worked in various roles with GWA International and Grand Motors gaining experience in accounting and dealership operations. Andrew is also currently a Non-Executive Director of the publicly listed Garda Property Group.
Chris Thornton
Managing Director (Agriculture)
Chris Thornton is Joint Managing Director, responsible for overseeing the Manufacturing and Tillage divisions, within the Group. Chris joined Great Western Manufacturing in 1996 and was appointed as General Manager of the Manufacturing and Tillage divisions in 1999. Chris has successfully overseen the growth of the businesses via acquisitions, product development and process improvement. He has successfully helped adapt, reinvest and guide these businesses in the challenging Australian manufacturing environment. Chris is a qualified electrician by trade, and has undertaken prior roles with ASEA Brown Boveri, Ralph Lee and Siemens.
Richard Thornton
Non-Executive Chairman
Richard Thornton was appointed a Non-Executive Director of Great Western Corporation in 2010, and Chairman in 2011. He has extensive leadership, governance and risk management experience as a longstanding senior executive of publicly listed, GWA Group Limited, having served over 20 years with the business until his appointment as a Non-Executive Director in June 2022, and Deputy Chairman in March 2025. He is also a member of GWA’s Audit and Risk Committee. Richard is a Chartered Accountant and has extensive experience in accounting, taxation and finance through various positions at Coopers & Lybrand, Citibank and Ernst & Young in Australia and overseas.
John Thornton
Executive Director
John Thornton was appointed a Non-Executive Director of Great Western Corporation in 2010 and accepted an executive role for the group in 2017. John has an extensive background in Financial Markets and Information Technology, working for more than a decade as a member of the Institutional Equities Team at Morgans Financial. Prior to this, John developed technical expertise in positions held with IceMedia and KPMG.
Jonathon Skinner
CFO/ Company Secretary
Jonathon Skinner is the Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary. He joined GWC in 1996 and was appointed CFO and Company Secretary in 1999. He has responsibility for accounting, taxation, finance, risk management and compliance. Jonathon is a Certified Practicing Accountant, with an extensive business background across numerous industries from property to manufacturing, importation and retail businesses. Jonathon previously worked for GWA International in their then Martec electrical business as the accountant.