Our History

Operating Since 1990

Australian Intercollegiate

Meat Judging Association

Intercollegiate Meat Judging was begun by Meat Science Professors in the USA in 1927. The US has 60 Land Grant Colleges most of which have large meat science facilities, something that we are yet to see at one University in Australia.

The US has various contests each year and students travel all over the US competing. Nowadays many of the top managers in the US meat industry are former contestants.

When on his 1983 Churchill Fellowship in Meat Marketing, John Carter (first Australian ICMJ President) realised the enormous contribution that the program made to the US industry. When he became Chairman of the NSW Meat Industry Authority he was able to begin the program in Australia.

Throughout this time over 2000 students enrolled in tertiary education from 21 different institutions have participated. Since 1994, ICMJ have sent over 100 students to the US, and in teams of 5-6 have competed in the National Western ICMJ contest at Greely, Colorado .This follows an intensive two week tour of abattoirs and University Meat Science facilities where students judge the quality and yield of beef, lamb and pork carcasses.

Hall of Fame

Australian National Teams Competing in the USA

1991

Rex Suderland- East Sydney TAFE
Coach – Gary Keys

1992

John Manchee- Orange Agricultural College
Craig Mayne- Hamilton TAFE
Coach – Ken Oakley

1993

Tim Noske- Regency TAFE
Coach -Owen Lysaught (Charles Sturt Wagga)

1994

Tony Watson- Regency TAFE
Scott Wake- UWS Hawkesbury
Ben Hill- CB Alexander College, Tocal
Gary Kilday- UWS Hawkesbury
Greg Finucane- Hamilton TAFE
Coaches – Robert Mulley, Jason Strong, Duane Wulf

1995

Cye Travers- UWS Hawkesbury
Alistair Rayner- UWS Hawkesbury
Hamish McKerrow- Orange Agricultural College
Andrew Rose- CB Alexander College Tocal
Michael Dimich- Werrington Tafe
Coaches – Jason Strong, John Paterson and Sally Wall

1996

Deanna Leven- University of New England
Tim Smith – University of New England
Roger Evans- University of New England
Dom Makim- University of New England
Simon Bayne- Regency TAFE
Coaches – Jason Strong, Peter Dundon

1997

Bernadette Jolley- Orange Agricultural College
Joanne Taylor- Charles Sturt University, Wagga
Gary Edwards- UWS Hawkesbury
Todd Aitkin- CB Alexander College
Alan Kroll- UWS Hawkesbury
Coaches- Jason Strong , Ken Oakley, plus Andrew McKarron and Don Burke

1998

Alexander Harrington- Sydney University
Gilly Simos- Sydney University
Erica Altman- Sydney University
Belinda Hoskens- Regency TAFE
Colin Cowell- UWS Hawkesbury
Coaches – Jason Strong and Sue Johnson

1999

Alistair Nash- Sydney University
Mark Sansom- Orange Agricultural College
Sam Mitchell- Sydney University
Amanda Corney- UWS Hawkesbury
Kate Woodward- University of New England
Coaches – Jason Strong and Michael Beer

2000

Troy Setter- University of New England
Michael Walker- Orange Agricultural College
Nick Davison- Orange Agricultural College
Rebecca Underwood- Sydney University
Sarah McGrath-University of New England
Coaches – Jason Strong and Michael Crowley

2001

Kate Neath- Sydney University
Todd Armor- Emerald Ag College
Ian Gardner- Emerald Ag College
Donna Knox- University of New England
Jean Smith- Charles Sturt University, Wagga
Coaches – Jason Strong, Cye Travers and Angus Hobson

2002

Shaun McGrath- Sydney University
Cathy Stimson- Sydney University
Elisabeth Barker- Charles Sturt University, Wagga
Melissa Willcocks- University of New England
Sara Foot- CB Paterson, Tocal
Coaches – Jason Strong, Alison Rowlands and Colin Cavanough

2003

Michael Connors- Sydney University
Sheridan Payne- Sydney University
Gemma Carmichael- University of New England
Edwina Toohey- Charles Sturt University, Wagga
Steven Downes- Sydney University
Peter McGilchrist- University of New England
Coaches – Jason Strong and Rebecca Underwood

2004

Hayley Moreland- University of New England
Kim Tink- University of New England
Mark Hazelton- Sydney University
Zoe May- Sydney University
Michael Pitt- University of Queensland, Gatton
Brad Robinson- Sydney University
Coaches – Jason Strong

2005

Judith Grauer- University of New England
Richard Sanders- Charles Sturt University, Wagga
Sarah Brown- University of New England
Lee Freeman- University of New England
Rachel Webb- University of Queensland
Coaches – Jason Strong and Michael Crowley.

2006

Ryan Andrews- University of New England
Dimity Butler- University of New England
George Wragge- University of New England
Anthony Rosser- University of Queensland
Fiona Sparke- Sydney University
Coaches – Jason Strong and Michael Crowley.

2007

Sam Clarke- University of New England
Ben Thomas- University of New England
Alix McFarland- Charles Sturt University, Wagga
Philippa Farr- University of New England
Catherine Gulliver- University of New England
Coaches – Rebecca Underwood and Sarah Moore.

2008

Jeremy Millar- University of Queensland, Gatton
Kathleen Marshall- University of New England
Kelly Stanger- Murdoch University
Dylan Duncan- University of New England
Amy Watt- University of New England
Coaches – Jason Strong and Rebecca Underwood

2009

Andrew Cavanagh- University of Queensland, Gatton
Andrea Conn- University of New England
Lisa Cassar- University of Western Sydney
Emma Hegarty- University of New England
Tahnee Manton- University of New England
Coaches – Rebecca Underwood and Michael Crowley

2010

Jessira Perovic- Charles Sturt University, Wagga
Will Hogan- University of New England
Campbell Ross- Charles Sturt University, Wagga
Peter Carrigan- Murdoch University
Coaches – Michael Crowley and Brad Robinson

2011

Jessica Everett- Murdoch University
Jessica Loughland- Charles Sturt University, Wagga
Ruth Corrigan- University of New England
Toni Johnston James Cook University
Claire Petterson – Charles Sturt University, Wagga
Coaches – Brad Robinson and Michael Crowley

2012

Naomi Hobson- Charles Sturt University, Wagga
Melissa Adams- Tocal Agricultural College
Claire Payne- Murdoch University
Lucinda Sheppard- Sydney University
Katelyn Braine- Charles Sturt University, Wagga
Coaches – Brad Robinson and Emma Hegarty

2013

Vanessa Campbell- Charles Sturt University, Wagga
Tim Ryan- University of Melbourne
Rozzie O’Reilly- University of New England
Jordan Hoban- Charles Sturt University, Wagga
Isaac Allen- Charles Sturt University, Wagga
Coaches – Brad Robinson and Emma Hegarty

2014

Hamish Irvine- University of Sydney
Frederick Broughton- University of New England
Nick Van Den Berg- University of Adelaide
Tamara Heir- Charles Sturt University, Wagga
Laura Kemmis- Charles Sturt University, Wagga
Coaches – Emma Hegarty and Demelsa Lollback

2015

Ella Mazoudier- Tocal Ag College
Hannah Marshall- University of Adelaide
Timothy Morley-Sattler- Charles Sturt University
Clara Collison- University of New England
Meg Parsons- Charles Sturt University
Coaches – Emma Hegarty and Demelsa Lollback

2016

Anna White- University of Sydney
Simon Kensit- University of Sydney
Reuben Welke- Murdoch University
Jess McGrath- Charles Sturt University
Georgia Clark- University of Sydney
Coaches – Demelsa Lollback and Tim Ryan

2017

Chloe Gould- University of Queensland
Macky Lawrence- Charles Sturt University
Gabrielle Ryan- University of Sydney
Olivia Swan- Murdoch University
Rachel Tulloch- University of Sydney
Coaches – Demelsa Lollback and Tim Ryan

2018

Bridie Luers- Murdoch University
Emily Webb Ware- University of Melbourne
Lachlan Woods- Charles Sturt University
Harriet Moss- Murdoch University
Jake Bourlet- Charles Sturt University
Coaches – Tim Ryan, Sarah Stewart and Nick Van Den Berg

2019

Lauren Smith – Murdoch University
Jessie Phillips – Charles Sturt University
Felicity Brumpton – University of New England
Jess Davis – University of Sydney
Nikita Ellison – University of Queensland
Coaches: Sarah Stewart and Nick van den Berg

2020

Hamish Fuller – University of Sydney
Kieran Smith – University of New England
Claire Marriott – University of New England
Priscilla Evans – University of Sydney
Margot Sullivan – Marcus Oldham
Coaches – Nick van den Berg and Melanie Smith

Founders Buckle- Individual Winners

Team Champions – Winners of the Roy McDonald Shield

Dr Tom Carr Award for Coaching Excellence

Our Timeline

1990 The first contest was held at Glenmore Meats, Glebe, Sydney

1993 The competition was held at Rockdale Beef

1994 1st team competed in the US at the National Western ICMJ contest in Greely, Colorado

1997 Korea/Japan trip introduced

2000 The competition was held at Cargill Wagga

2006 Japanese team joined the competition

2001 The schools competition was developed

2006 A 2.5 day workshop was introduced prior to the competition. This significantly boosted the level of interest.

2007 A US University (University of Illinois) competed in the competition (and won)

2015 The coaches XI program was introduced to expand professional development opportunities available to students

Life Members

John Carter

Past President 1989-2010

President since formation of Committee in 1995. John is a fifth generation cattle breeder at Crookwell, NSW. John’s credentials include: Marketing Chairman Cattlemen’s Union 1978-1982; Churchill Fellow (Meat Marketing) 1983; Chairman and CEO NSW Meat Industry Authority 1984-1994 (Initiator of livestock language; Gold/Purple branded beef schemes; taste testing; sale yard and abattoir reform etc.), Chairman Australian Beef Association 1998-2004. John is currently experimenting with crossbred herd with 14 breeds already incorporated and the Normande being introduced by AI.

Jason Strong

Awarded life membership July 2013

Jason is currently the General Manager for Marketing, Australian Agricultural Company (AACo) and has a large amount of experience in the meat and livestock industry, including the Regional Manager Europe for Meat & Livestock Australia, Chairman for the Australian Beef Industry Foundation, Head of new market development for Pfizer Animal Genetics and Manager of Meat Standards Australia. Jason has been instrumental in the development of the ICMJ program and coached the Australian National team for many years.

Dr Tom Carr

Awarded life membership 2014

Dr Carr is a renowned US meat science expert who holds a significant place in many Australian meat judging students hearts. Since the Australian ICMJ commenced, Dr Carr was employed by the University of Illinois to teach animal sciences and coach meats judging. He stayed until his retirement in 2010, when he and his wife, Jo, went home to Medicine Lodge, Kansas. During all of the Australian team trips to the US, Dr Carr has been instrumental in providing training guidance to the Australian team, annually hosting the Australian team, even in retirement, at his own home as well as ongoing support of the Australian ICMJ contest through the Dr Tom Carr excellence in coaching award. He has been a long time mentor of the Australian ICMJ program and travelled to Australia in 2014 to surprise the Australian ICMJ committee for their 25th year celebrations.

Owen Gwinn

Awarded life membership 2014

Owen Gwinn is a Churchill Fellow in Meat Marketing and was involved with John Carter (Frist ICMJ president) in the Cattlemen’s Union and the NSW Meat Authority. He was at the Authority organised 6th June 1990 workshop at Riverstone Abattoir and UWS (then Hawkesbury Agricultural College). At this workshop, top USDA beef grader ,Roy McDonald, was in charge and explained what was to be judged to the original team coaches. Owen was a steward at the first contest at Glenmore Meats, Glebe on 13th November 1990. Owen then served as a Steward and ICMJ Committee member for 20 years. He was a great agent for stability on the committee with his corporate memory and common sense. He helped with every contest, including the new School contest for 20 years. He held the role of Chief Contest Steward annually and calmly explained roles to the ever changing new group leaders before they led their groups into the chiller.

Peter Wynn

Awarded life membership 2016

Peter Wynn is an Adjunct Professor at Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga. Peter’s current interests relate to animal production in developing countries with a focus on small-holder dairy production, meat and fibre science. Peter is interested in consultancy in all of these areas including agricultural education and extension programs. He is a Fellow of the Australian Society of Animal Production and was awarded the AAAP Animal Science prize for his contribution to Animal Production in Asia in 2014. Peter’s major focus has been on Pakistan for the past 10 years, but his work has also taken him to China, Taiwan, Indonesia, India, Thailand, Malaysia and Bangladesh.