Beef Central publishes an occasional summary of appointments, departures and achievements occurring across the red meat and livestock supply chain. Send details for entries to admin@beefcentral.com

• Former AA Co MD romps to barnstorming win for One Nation in Farrer by-election
• “A masterclass in pioneering spirit” – AWA’s new Life Member
• New chief economist for rural land valuer, Herron Todd White
• Live export shipping pioneer passes
• Ex AA Co staffer moves to MLA role
• CA appoints corporate affairs manager
• Peter Garrett new chair of Landcare Australia
• Young beef stakeholders join AgriFutures’ Horizon scholarship
• Rabobank appoints SA/NT manager
• New beef genetics sales team member for ABS

Former AA Co MD romps to barnstorming win for One Nation in Farrer by-election

Prominent agricultural executive David Farley claimed One Nation’s first Lower House Federal seat in the Farrer (NSW) by-election on Saturday.

Caused by the resignation for long-standing sitting member, former Opposition Leader Sussan Ley, the by-election attracted arguably the most attention of any by-election in Australia’s history.

David Farley:

Ms Ley held the safe Liberal seat for more than 20 years, but resigned after she was voted out of the leadership by the party early this year. The Libs or Nats had held the seat for almost 80 years.

Mr Farley’s victory has been highlighted a big setback for the Liberal party, with its candidate Raissa Butkowski only managing 12.4 percent of the two-party preferred vote – a 31pc swing against the party.

His campaign was largely centred on fighting for reforms to water policy in the area, which largely surrounds the Murray River. In declaring his victory he also vowed to help carry through one of One Nation’s pet policies in dumping net zero and the Federal Government’s climate change department – in preference for helping State Governments better fund local hospitals.

Mr Farley had a long career in agriculture and commodity trading serving four years as the chief executive officer and MD of AA Co, senior executive roles with Colly Cotton and Calcot in the cotton industry his early career, and later with Waverley Mills in Tasmania.

“A masterclass in pioneering spirit” – AWA’s Life Member

The Australian Wagyu Association inducted Western Australia’s Peter Gilmour as an Honorary Life Member during last month’s WagyuEdge 2026 conference in Brisbane.

The award recognises Mr Gilmour’s outstanding and sustained contribution to the association and the advancement of the Wagyu industry.

Peter Gilmour receives AWA Life Membership from president Laird Morgan and former president Chantal Winter. Click on image for a larger view

AWA Life Membership is reserved for individuals whose leadership, vision and long-term commitment have delivered significant benefit to members and the broader industry. Peter’s induction recognises a legacy that spans breeding innovation, industry leadership and a lasting contribution to the systems and culture that underpin Australian Wagyu today.

Founder of Irongate Wagyu, Peter built one of Australia’s leading Fullblood herds from just 40 cows and a single bull at a time when Wagyu had minimal presence in the west. Today, Irongate is recognised for industry-leading genetic progress, depth of data and production performance.

AWA president Laird Morgan said Peter’s impact on both the Association and the industry had been profound.

“Peter is one of those individuals the industry stands on — a driving force behind the systems, trust and genetic advancement that underpin Wagyu’s success in Australia,” Mr Morgan said.

“As the industry moves forward, it does so standing on the shoulders of giants. Peter is undoubtedly one of those. He helped shift the AWA from a registry-focused body to a forward-looking breed development organisation, putting it on the trajectory we see today.”

Peter served on the AWA Board from 2013 to 2019, including as President, during a period of rapid industry growth and increased scrutiny around Wagyu branding and standards. His leadership strengthened governance, professionalism and the Association’s long-term capability.

His leadership style and influence were also strongly felt by those he worked alongside. Former AWA president Chantal Winter described Peter’s journey as “a masterclass in pioneering spirit,” recognising his role in setting new standards for the industry.

New chief economist for rural land valuer, Herron Todd White

Australia’s largest property valuation and advisory firm Herron Todd White has appointed prominent economist and housing market expert Cameron Kusher as chief economist.

Cameron Kusher

The move is designed to further strengthen HTW’s national property market insight and research capability.

With two decades of experience analysing Australia’s property market, Mr Kusher joins HTW with an extensive background in economic research, property analysis and market commentary.

HTW’s chief executive officer Peter Maloney said the appointment reflected the organisation’s continued investment in strengthening its market leadership, research capability and technology-driven insights, while reinforcing its commitment to delivering property intelligence, valuation and advisory expertise across Australia.

“Cameron has built a strong reputation for articulating complex market data into clear, practical insights for industry, government, media and consumers,” Mr Maloney said. “His depth of knowledge, analytical expertise and ability to clearly communicate market trends will be an enormous asset to our clients, our people and the broader industry.”

Mr Kusher previously spent six years as executive manager for economic research at REA Group and 11 years as head of research with property analyst and data collector Core Logic.

Live export shipping pioneer passes

The Australian Live Export Council has paid tribute to live export pioneer Emilio Balzarini, who passed away last month.

Few individuals have left as enduring a mark on Australia’s live export industry as Mr Balzarini, an Italian-born businessman whose vision, entrepreneurial instinct and quiet determination helped shape the modern livestock export trade.

Mr Balzarini combined a global outlook with hard work, humility and deep commercial insight to build a business that connected Australian producers with markets across the Middle East and Asia, leaving a legacy that continues to influence the industry today.

His involvement in the livestock trade began in Europe in the 1950s, when he founded SIBA Shipping, operating initially from Eastern Europe and Ireland, supply livestock to North African markets, using small vessels he converted into livestock carriers. These early ventures gave him a deep understanding of livestock supply chains, as well as the cultural and commercial dynamics of importing regions that would later define his success.

In 1979, he brought his experience to Australia, founding Wellard in Fremantle alongside his daughter Donatella and son-in-law Domenico. He personally oversaw the company’s first shipment from Australian shores aboard the MV El Podrero. By 1980, Wellard had established a permanent presence in Australia, focusing on sheep exports to the Middle East, then a rapidly expanding market driven by population growth, rising incomes and limited domestic livestock production.

During the 1980s, Mr Balzarini supported this growth with significant investment in infrastructure, including raised sheds capable of holding 60,000 sheep and a 20-stand shearing shed to maximise animal health and welfare during the pre-export quarantine period. This marked the first multi-million-dollar investment in pre-export facilities within the live export trade.

The first two decades of Wellard’s Australian operations through to the late 1990s, coincided with a formative period for the live export industry. Live sheep exports to the Middle East expanded rapidly, growing from 160,000 head in 1960 to millions annually by 1973, reaching a peak of 7.7 million head in 1987. Of that total, Wellard exported approximately 1.8 million sheep that year.

By the late 1990s, the company began investing in its own purpose-built vessels, culminating in the construction of what were then the largest purpose built vessels in the trade, the MV Ocean Drover and MV Ocean Shearer. Throughout this time, Mr Balzarini retained a keen interest in the day-to-day operations of Wellard, regularly faxing the Australian office with updates and advice, including precise positions of all SIBA and Wellard livestock vessels operating both in Australia and internationally.

Over subsequent decades, latterly under the direction of his son Mauro, the business broadened its scope beyond Middle Eastern sheep exports to include cattle exports to the Middle East and Southeast Asia, particularly Indonesia, and later into emerging markets such as Turkey and China.

Mr Balzarini passed away on 10 April, aged 96. He is remembered as a pioneer of the live export industry, a devoted family man, and a businessman whose influence extended across continents and generations.

Ex AA Co staffer moves to MLA role

Meat & Livestock Australia has appointed Aaron Wakeley to fill the role of Head of Corporate Affairs, Media and Events for the industry service delivery company.

The role has been vacant for some months, following the departure of Brad Pfeffer to a new role in the renewable energy industry

Mr Wakeley filled a similar role in his previous employment at the Australian Agricultural Co, where he worked for the past seven years, most recently as head of external affairs. Prior to that he worked in corporate affairs and comms with the NSW Government, the North Australia Infrastructure Facility and Sydney Water.

CA appoints corporate affairs manager

In another similar recent appointment, Belinda Roseby has stated a new job as Cattle Australia’s general manager of Corporate Affairs. Ms Roseby has worked widely in the communications and stakeholder relations field within the beef industry, including lengthy terms with Meat Standards Australia and Meat & Livestock Australia.

Most recently she was director of stakeholder engagement with NSW Local land Services and NSW DPI.

Peter Garrett new chair of Landcare Australia

High profile former politician, musician, social justice campaigner and environmentalist Peter Garrett was recently appointed chair of the Landcare Australia board.

The former frontman for Midnight Oil succeeds Doug Humann, who stepped down after nine years in the role.

Mr Garrett’s political career included terms as national Environment Minister. He has been a long-time campaigner on a range of local and global issues, advocating for stronger laws to protect biodiversity, addressing the climate emergency, and supporting land conservation initiatives, Indigenous rights and reconciliation.

With a strong record of supporting community-led land stewardship through policy, funding and advocacy, he plans to use his force for good to support the work of the Landcare movement.

Serving as President of the Australian Conservation Foundation, his tenure coincided with the historic alliance between conservationists and farmers that created Landcare. He worked closely with ACF’s Phillip Toyne and the National Farmers’ Federation’s Rick Farley in lobbying the Hawke government to establish the National Landcare Program and the national independent not for profit Landcare Australia.

Over the last 35 years, Landcare has evolved to now include volunteers in rural, regional and urban areas, and is made up of Landcare groups, Bushcare and ‘Friends of’ groups and other community-led environmental groups, First Nations Peoples, farmers, landholders, researchers, and the next generation of Landcare leaders.

Young beef stakeholders join AgriFutures’ Horizon scholarship

Two young beef industry stakeholders are included among this year’s cohort under AgriFutures Australia’s Horizon Scholarship program.

Eighteeen young university students with a special interest in agriculture are included in this year’s cohort, designed to building the skills, networks and industry understanding required to support the long term success of Australian agriculture.

The scholarship supports students in the final two years of a full-time undergraduate degree at an Australian university, helping ensure Australian agriculture has access to a capable, future focused pipeline of talent.

Since its inception in 2010, the Scholarship has supported 259 students and played a key role in addressing workforce challenges across the sector. Several scholars have gone on to start their own ventures.

Backed by industry sponsors, the scholarship focuses on translating study into impact by strengthening leadership capability, fostering innovation and aligning graduate skills with real workforce needs.

Murdoch University veterinary science student Eden Burns, who grew up in Kununurra in Western Australia’s Kimberley region, is one of this year’s participants, sponsored by Meat & Livestock Australia. Her exposure to the northern cattle industry and regional communities has shaped a strong interest in animal health.

Eden is passionate about strengthening veterinary services in remote Australia, with a particular interest in disease surveillance, biosecurity and preventative herd health. She is committed to improving livestock welfare while supporting industry productivity, and as a 2026 Horizon Scholar, she is looking forward to gaining experience that will support a more proactive and resilient approach to animal health across northern Australia.

Also joining this year’s Horizon scholarship cohort is University of New England Bachelor of Agriculture and Bachelor of Business student Judy Hopkins.

Judy grew up on her family’s mixed farming enterprise near Illabo, New South Wales, running a Black Simmental cattle stud, sheep and cropping operations. This background sparked a strong and enduring passion for agriculture. Judy is particularly interested in improving meat quality and production efficiency through genetics and innovative management practices. She is looking forward to expand her knowledge and contributing to a more productive and sustainable livestock industry.

Applications for the 2027 Scholarship will open in November 2026. https://agrifutures.com.au/opportunities/horizon-scholarship/

Rabobank appoints SA/NT manager

Agribanker Rabobank has appointed Peter Evans as state manager for South Australia and the Northern Territory.

Mr Evans takes over from Roger Matthews, who has held the role since 2016 and is taking on new responsibilities as the bank’s head of Commercial Analytics.

In his role, Mr Evans will be in charge of Rabobank’s rural banking operations across South Australia, the Northern Territory and also have responsibility for its business in north-west Victoria. He moves into the position from Rabobank’s Victoria/Tasmania team, where he has been head of Relationship Management.

Rabobank’s group executive for Country Banking Australia, Marcel van Doremaele said Mr Evans was an experienced leader with a comprehensive understanding of, and dedication to, agriculture and agribusiness banking.

“Peter joined Rabo 21 years ago, beginning in our Esperance branch in a rural manager role, which led him to leading the Riverina team as a regional manager. And prior to his current role with the Victoria/Tasmania team, he was responsible for delivering a range of digital solutions for the bank,” he said. “He has a deep knowledge of agriculture, as well as a strong understanding of the banking and financial requirements of agricultural producers.”

New beef genetics sales team member for ABS

Genetics service provider ABS Global has appointed Kieran Howie to a sales role in the ABS Global Australia beef team.

Originally from Manypeaks in Western Australia, Mr Howie joins ABS from a family beef operation. His working from a base in southern Queensland, looking after the region in addition to Western Australia and New South Wales.

His experience running a commercial beef operation complements the beef side of ABS Global Australia, ABS said.

“Kieran’s many years of experience in farming and his extensive knowledge of the Angus breed will hold him in good stead,” said Marcus Rees, ABS Australia General Manager. “As Kieran moves into his role with ABS, he has all the fundamentals that current and future beef customers will appreciate when they meet him.”