2010: Gatton’s rock star

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Tags: music, Science, winter-2011

Norman Rieder and his band

Norman Rieder, Master of Agribusiness

For Paraguayan rock star Norman Rieder, arriving at the Gatton campus as an international student was a bit of a culture shock.

Mr Rieder was lead singer and guitarist with Area 69 – the first Paraguayan band to sign a recording contract with Universal Music.

The band’s third album was recorded in Argentina and sold across South America, the US and Europe.

Formed in 2000, Area 69 was also the first band from Paraguay to have a music video broadcast on MTV.

“Living in Gatton wasn’t what I expected, but Gatton is an excellent campus,” Mr Rieder said.

“It has excellent courses and good teachers who were very helpful.

“I also met some other people from South America – there were students from Paraguay, Chile and Uruguay living at Gatton as well.”

The band members decided to part ways in February this year, but not before offering their fans a memorable farewell concert, with more than 3000 people attending the final gig in the Paraguayan capital Asuncion.

In March, Mr Rieder returned to Brisbane and is now pursuing a business initiative that involves linking the Paraguayan and Australian beef industries.

“The only difference between Australia and Paraguay is the language,” he said.

“We have the same soil, the same climate and the same breeds.

“Potentially Australians could breed cattle in Paraguay where production costs are cheaper, then sell the beef to the European Union.”

Mr Rieder is finalising his business plan before travelling around Australia to pitch the idea to farmers.

By Penny Robinson

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