The 2016 Coles ICMJ (Intercollegiate Meat Judging) Awards dinner was celebrated at the RSL Club in Wagga Wagga on the weekend, where 130 students and 35 team coaches competed for the various honors.
Held in Wagga Wagga since 2012, when the conference and competition was moved from University of New England, Armidale, to Charles Sturt University and Teys Australia processing plant, this years event attracted teams representing South Korea, Japan, Indonesia and USA, along with the major agricultural education institutions across Australia.
Current president of the Australian branch ICMJ, and past Australian team member, Dr Peter McGilchrist, Murdoch University, Perth, said the interest from students has increased since 2006, an indication of the success of the program.
“You are in the food business,” Dr McGilchrist told the students.
“And the theme of this week is ‘the meat industry takes you places’.”
As it indeed has done for many of the past students who have gone on to forge careers in the livestock and meat processing industries, including current managing director Australian Agriculture Company, Jason Strong.
The team representing the University of Queensland, Gatton, including Chloe Gould, Josie Coddington, Jessica Blokland and Belinda McLean took home the Roy McDonald Shield for Champion team, sponsored by Meat and Livestock Australia and presented by Lucinda Corrigan, Rennylea Angus, Culcairn.
The team was coached by John Noble, and came in ahead of second place University of Sydney with Murdoch University, Perth in third place.
The girls were also presented with the prize for Overall Placings, sponsored by Teys Australia, and presented by Andrew Ross, Teys, Wagga Wagga, general manager.
Chloe Gould, from the University of Queensland team, won the Founders Buckle, sponsored by Australian Meat Processors Corporation (AMPC) for Individual winner and presented by Tom Maguire, director AMPC.
Ms Gould was one point ahead of second placed student, Leah Parsons, Garden City Community College, Kansas, USA.
Dr McGilchrist noted there was only four points between first and fifth, out of a possible 1255 points.
The following students were selected for the Industry Training Week in Brisbane prior to entering international competition.
Claudia Blackbrough-Hall, Jessica Blockland, Josie Coddington, Chloe Gould, Macky Lawrence, Gabrielle Ryan, Ben Shaw, Olivia Swan, Rachael Tulloch and Kristy Walters.
Dr McGilchrist expressed his appreciation for the continuing support from all the sponsors, and congratulated students and coaches for their committment.
“It has been a phenomenal week, he said.
“I hope you all take the passion and attitudes you have shown this week, forward into your careers and you will go a long way.”
