Our Team
Meet the Committee
Peter McGilchrist
National ICMJ President
Peter is a Professor of Meat Science at the University of New England (UNE). He grew up on a cattle property in northern NSW and has a Bachelor of Rural Science (Hons1) from the UNE. Peter was a member of the UNE meat judging team in 2002 and was on the 2003 Australian ICMJ team that competed in the USA. Following university Peter travelled the globe and worked at Elders Killara feedlot for a year before moving to Perth to complete a PhD at Murdoch University on ‘Selection for muscling affects carbohydrate and fatty acid metabolism in beef cattle’ with the Beef CRC. Peter then held a postdoctoral research and lecturing positions at Murdoch University with Meat & Livestock Australia working on beef eating quality projects, MSA optimisation and the development of the MSA Index. Peter’s research focuses on factors along the supply chain which impact the eating quality of beef and lamb from conception to consumption. Peter is passionate about the future of the red meat industry for the next generation.
Macky Lawrence
National ICMJ Vice-President and Australian Team Coach
Macky grew up on a beef cattle property on the mid north coast and has always had a strong passion for Australian agriculture. He studied at Charles Sturt University graduating with a Bachelor of Agricultural Science in 2018. He competed at the national conference in 2016 and was fortunate enough to be part of the 2017 Australian national team. Following university, Macky has worked as part of the growth farms team managing a property in the Mitta Valley, spent 3 years in the feedlot industry at Whyalla Beef in Queensland, which has led him into his current role, moving back to the mid north coast as a livestock co-ordinator for NH Foods at Wingham Beef Exports.
Gabrielle Ryan
National ICMJ Secretary
Gabi grew up on a mixed farming property in Central West NSW. She completed a Bachelor of Animal and Veterinary Bioscience in 2016, during which she competed for the University of Sydney. Following this Gab travelled to the states with the national team in 2017. Upon returning she commenced an Agribusiness Cadetship at Fletcher International Exports before moving into her current role as the group’s North American Market Manager.
Stuart Bisley
National ICMJ Treasurer
Stuart grew up on a cattle property in Queensland and completed a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Queensland. After finishing his degree, he spent several years working on cattle stations across the Northern Territory and Western Australia. Stuart then relocated to Dalby QLD, where he took on a management role in a lot feeding and mixed cropping operation. In 2019, Stuart joined Teys Australia as a Commercial Analyst, later transitioning into the Operations team. He is now based in Wagga Wagga, working as a Livestock Buyer. Stuart is passionate about engaging and inspiring the future workforce of the red meat industry.
Molly Greentree
National ICMJ Sponsorship Coordinator
Molly is the Account Manager at Gundagai Lamb, where she is involved in all things sales and marketing, focussing particularly on the premium GLQ5+ brand. She holds a Bachelor of Animal and Veterinary Bioscience with Honours in Animal Reproduction from the University of Sydney. Growing up in Sydney, her journey into the red meat industry began with the Sydney University ICMJ team, which opened the door to a graduate program with Teys Australia working across Operations, Quality Assurance, and Quality Control in Wagga Wagga, before relocating to Brisbane to work in Production Scheduling and later as a Commercial Analyst. In early 2024, she joined Gundagai Lamb and has since also joined the Sheep Sustainability Framework Steering Group. Molly is passionate about encouraging young people to get involved in agriculture, even if not originally off a property.
Claire Marriott
National ICMJ Conference Careers Expo Coordinator
Claire studied a Bachelor of Rural Science at the University of New England (UNE) and completed her Honours in Meat Science during her final year. Claire was a member of the UNE meat judging team in 2019 and was fortunate to be selected on the Australian national ICMJ team in 2020. Following university, Claire was an AACo graduate before commencing a role as Supply Chain Coordinator at Gundagai Lamb where she coordinates the producer engagement program for the brand. Claire is also actively involved in her family’s beef and sheep enterprise in north east Victoria.
Nick Vandenberg
Alumni and Schools Coordinator
Despite not growing up with a farming background, Nick quickly developed a love for all things agriculture. This led him to complete his Bachelor of Ag. Science at Adelaide University in 2013. It was during his studies he discovered meat judging and was fortunate to be a part of the 2014 ICMJ national team. Nick went on to do his honors in “Understanding the causes of dark cutting on pasture-raised beef in southeast South Australia” also allowing Nick to coach Adelaide Uni for three years before going on to be one of the ICMJ’s National team coaches for a number of years. Nick has been fortunate to see a large cross-section of industry, working from abattoirs and live export depots to full-time shearing. Nick is proud to have been a part of the founding team at MEQ Probe developing Agtech for chain speed eating quality assessment, before moving back home to SE SA where he now works as an independent Livestock agent with Platinum Livestock. He is very passionate about the Australian goat industry sitting on the Goat Industry Council of Australia and running his seed stock operation.
Melanie Smith
National ICMJ Conference Presenter Co-Ordinator
Melanie enjoys being part of a dynamic industry and promoting the opportunities available across the red meat supply chain. She holds a Bachelor of Animal and Veterinary Bioscience (Hons), and PhD in Livestock Production and Meat Science from The University of Sydney. Currently, Melanie works with Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA), as the Program Manager for Sheep and Goat Productivity. Melanie has strong ties to ICMJ and has been involved at multiple levels since she participated in 2012, going on to successfully coach over 100 students through the program, assist with ICMJ schools competitions throughout NSW and coaching the Australian National ICMJ Team. Melanie enjoys being part of the ICMJ committee, where she can continue to showcase the vast array of opportunities available for enthusiastic talent within the red meat industry.
Laura Bignell
Northern Conference Co-chair
Laura’s passion for agriculture stems from her upbringing on her family’s beef cattle property in the Gloucester region of NSW. She earned a Bachelor of Agriculture from the University of New England (UNE) in 2019, the same year she competed in the Northern ICMJ Conference. Through the connections she built at the 2019 conference, she was able to secure a role with Teys Australia Biloela as a Graduate Environmental Officer. Since then, Laura has advanced to her current role as Project and Sustainability Manager. In this position, she oversees the procurement and installation of new equipment and technology while driving the site’s sustainability initiatives.
Alongside her professional work, Laura is pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering at Central Queensland University, further strengthening her expertise in equipment, optimisation & integration. Passionate about supporting rural communities, she is committed to creating opportunities for young people in agriculture and ensuring a sustainable future for the industry.
James Carter
Northern Conference Co-chair
James grew up on a beef cattle property near Crookwell NSW where his family run a
Normande/Charolais crossbreed. He is the 7th generation of the Carter family to grow
up at Lake Edward which has the oldest registered fire brand in Australia. After moving
to Brisbane to finish school he began and finished a Carpentry Apprenticeship whilst
studying business as well as beginning his journey back into ag towards the end by starting at EC Rural. Where he worked in Sales and Production which ranged from international sales to on the ground at the Casino abattoir. Post this he started at Australian Agricultural Company as a Livestock and Production Officer where he really started learning his craft in red meat processing, as well as understanding the intricacies of a fully integrated supply chain. After less than 2 years in the role James was prompted to an Assistant Production Manager and now his current role of Processing Manager, where he managers a team, two service kills at JBS Beef City and Australian Country Choice, as well as ensuring all aspects of AACo’s premium branded beef program are met over the 1,000hd+ of Wagyu they process every week. He is also a 2025 Nuffield Scholar and will complete his study later this year.
Aimee Bolton
Australian Team Coach
Aimee is originally from Shepparton, Victoria, where her family run a small herd of Black and Red Angus cattle. Aimee completed her Bachelor of Agricultural Business Management at Charles Sturt University where she also took part in the 2019 ICMJ Conference. During her time at university, she was fortunate enough to travel and learn about the beef supply chain in a number of countries, including completing an exchange at Texas A & M focussing on meat science. Upon graduating Aimee joined the processing industry, gaining experience from an operational level with a strong emphasis on MSA grading, right through to livestock procurement and supply chain optimisation. Aimee is currently the Farm Assurance & Supply Chain Manager for JBS, with a focus on identifying new opportunities for the beef and lamb programs across compliance, performance, and sustainability. Growing up in the industry, Aimee is very passionate about fostering the next generation of industry enthusiasts.
Lauren Smith
Website & Comms Coordinator and Global Markets Tour Co-Coordinator
Lauren completed a Bachelor of Science (Animal Science & Animal Health) and First Class Honours (Meat Science Technology) at Murdoch University. During her studies Lauren worked alongside the Murdoch meat science research team, where she was first introduced to ICMJ. She competed with the Murdoch meat judging team in 2018, after which she was selected to be a member of the Australian National team, competing in the USA in 2019 and returning to coach the Murdoch 2019 team. After graduating Lauren took a role at Western Australia’s largest beef processor, within the technical department, overseeing quality assurance and compliance across the plant. Lauren now works as a Project Officer in Sustainability with Australian Meat Processing Corporation (AMPC), the research and development organisation for Australian red meat processors.
Kieran Smith
ICMJ Global Markets Tour Coordinator
Kieran grew up on a family sheep and cattle property near Inverell, NSW and is still actively involved in this business. In 2019 whilst finishing studying a Bachelor of Rural Science at UNE, he competed in the ICMJ Wagga competition and was fortunate to be selected as part of the Australian national ICMJ team in 2020. Kieran worked as in livestock extension and advisory roles across north Queensland and western NSW for 5 years. He has also worked in stud and commercial sheep and cattle businesses across NSW, QLD and the NT. Kieran is currently working as a Sheep Technology and Production Advisor with For Flocks Sake, a vet-based consulting business in Dubbo, NSW. He is passionate about assisting livestock producers in developing production systems that are consumer-focused.
Jake Bourlet
National ICMJ Conference Venue and Product Coordinator
Jake Bourlet grew up on a mixed farming enterprise in the Riverina. Jake’s passion for agriculture was developed whilst working for his family’s livestock contracting business at Teys Jindalee Feedlot and Wagga Saleyards. Jake studied a Bachelor of Agricultural Business Management at Charles Sturt University (CSU) and completed an Honours project to investigate the optimum time on feed to recondition cull beef cows. He competed in ICMJ in 2017 and was fortunate enough to be a part of the 2018 Australian national team, going on to coach the CSU ICMJ team in 2018 and 2019. Following university, Jake headed north as an AACo graduate before returning south to a role at Gundagai Lamb (GL) as Supply Chain Coordinator – this involves coordinating the buy, make and sell steps for trade activities associated with GL.
Maria Thompson
ICMJ Coordinator
Maria has always had a strong appreciation for agriculture and rural life having grown up on her family’s beef cattle property in Tenterfield, NSW. Maria graduated with a Bachelor of Rural Science and a Master in Agriculture from UNE. In 2002, Maria was a member of the UNE Meat Judging Team. Since 2011, Maria has operated AgSTAR Projects, a project management consultancy firm and has successfully managed and delivered projects in strategic planning, facilitation, desktop research, policy review, evaluation, stakeholder consultation and engagement and event management. Previous roles include managing the animal health, welfare and biosecurity portfolio for Sheepmeat Council of Australia, working for a private agricultural PR & marketing company and being employed as a BREEDPLAN Consultant. Maria and her husband own and run a beef cattle property in Coonabarabran, NSW.
Annie Pumpa
ICMJ Program Support
Annie Pumpa brings more than 15 years of experience across the Australian beef industry, spanning project delivery, livestock marketing, stakeholder engagement, youth development and seedstock operations. She has built strong connections throughout the red meat supply chain and is passionate about creating meaningful opportunities for young people in agriculture. Annie has worked closely with producers, breed societies and agricultural organisations across Australia in both the seedstock and commercial beef sectors. Her industry leadership includes serving as a Board Director of Herefords Australia from 2022–2025 and Chairman of Angus Round Up from 2021–2024. Through her work with Agstar Projects and ongoing engagements across the industry, including the National All Breeds Junior Heifer Show, Annie supports national agricultural programs and seedstock enterprises. Alongside her industry roles, Annie and her partner Grant own and operate GB Livestock, a Purebred Black Simmental Beef enterprise. Having been a keynote speaker at the 2024 ICMJ Northern Conference in Rockhampton, Annie is excited to continue supporting ICMJ’s mission of inspiring and developing the next generation of professionals and leaders in the global red meat industry.
Megan Hendry
Media Coordinator
Megan Hendry is a communications specialist based in Rockhampton, central Queensland. Megan graduated from CQUniversity in 2006 with a Bachelor of Professional Communications. She spent 15 years working in the media before moving into agriculture research communication in 2021. During her time as a journalist for the ABC, Megan worked across a range of platforms including radio, television, online and social media. Her work featured in programs including ABC News, 7.30 QLD, Landline, the Country Hour, The World Today, AM, PM and regular ABC local radio news bulletins. Megan is now Communications Coordinator (Reputation and Impact) at CQUniversity and runs her own communications consultancy. Megan has been working with ICMJ since 2021.
Ellie Hays
ICMJ Bookkeeper and Australian Coach
Ellie Hays was born and bred in Queensland and ventured to Kununurra after school to work on a cattle station followed by contract mustering around the gulf of Queensland. Ellie’s passion for the agricultural industry continued to grow after being involved in her family cattle business and working on various properties. She completed a Bachelor of Agribusiness at Marcus Oldham and has been heavily involved with breeding livestock and the seed stock sector. She has previously worked at Holbrook Vet Centre overseeing the artificial breeding donor centre and worked at Rennylea Angus. Ellie spends her time working as an ag consultant with Agrista and is responsible for the benchmarking database. Ellie has been working with ICMJ as the bookkeeper since 2021 and assisted with the Australian Coach role in 2024.