Honour Roll

Dennis King

Dennis served as a director for 11 years, and as a member of the symposium committee for the same time.

In 2005 and 2007 he organised nutrition workshops in China and Philipinnes to showcase Australian rendered products to major feedmills.

He rewrote the association website as well as the dedicated symposium website. He also produced the booklet, A Pocket Guide to Australian Rendered Product.

In 2013 he suceeded Graeme Banks as Executive Officer of the Association.

Andrew Bennett OAM

Andy came to the rendering industry after having been involved for many years in the beef and sheepmeat processing industry. He quickly became involved in assisting on committees beginning in 1993 and has been a member of the symposium organising committee since the very first event in 1991. He chaired that committee from 1995 until 2007. His significant network of international contacts has been of great benefit to the Australian industry in sourcing expert speakers to present at our symposia.

He served as president of the Association from 1997 to 2001, then from August 2010 to July 2014 and again since November 2016 until the present and was instrumental in the forming of the World Renderers organisation in 1999 and served as President of WRO from 2003 to 2005.

Graeme Banks OAM

Graeme is known as the quiet achiever. He served as secretary, later Executive Officer, of the Association for 37 years.

During that time he was instrumental in forging strong relationships between industry, other industrial organisations and government agencies, which ensured that the rendering industry was able to negotiate solutions to issues quickly and generally with beneficial outcomes.

He has been a mentor to the officers of the association over the years and his wise counsel ensured the Association was able to meet the needs of members.

Brian Bartlett AM (Dec)

Brian was the first President of the ARA serving the association in that role from 1976 to 1992. In the early days of the Association he successfully led representations to government to abolish restrictions on the export of meat meal. Brian also led negotiations with shipping
companies to introduce competitive and uniform shipping rates.

Brian’s later initiatives as President of the Association were to establish the ARA’s biennial Symposia and the ARA’s accreditation workshops. He also prepared the first edition of the ARA Code of Practice for Hygienic Rendering.

In 2004 Brian was inducted as a member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his work on the development of grain export markets, services to the Australian Renderers Association and support of nutritional research.

The Association sadly advises the passing of Brian on 14 March 2016

Bill Spooncer AM

Bill has been described as the clear, outspoken technical expert of the rendering industry providing reliable technical advice to the industry, individuals and companies.

He was instrumental in developing the industries code of practice which has provided both protection and a competitive advantage for our rendered products.

He has run industry workshops for over twenty years, provided auditing services and technical advice to the association and members.

The author of many articles he is both articulate and credible.

Reg Evans (Dec)

Reg started his career in accounting before moving on to trading tallow, fats and oils.

He became National President of the ARA on 23 August 1991 and held that office through to 19 August 1994.

The Association sadly advises the passing of Reg on 6 March 2018

George Schinard

George has significantly contributed to the ARA as both a director and an active member representing Wilmar Trading Australia. In his role as a director, he has taken on numerous responsibilities and generously shared his specialist knowledge of protein markets. This expertise has been invaluable in shaping the ARA’s market access policies and presentations.

Michaela Rock

Michaela first made an impression on the ARA when she attended the ARA workshop on hygienic rendering in February 2014. She was an outstanding student at the workshop and topped the list of exam results.

She has been a leader in establishing quality management programs in the rendering industry and put her knowledge of quality assurance to use when she was part of the team that reviewed the Code of Practice in 2017. She took a leading role in what was the most comprehensive review of the Code since the first edition in 1994. Michaela has also taken the lead role in preparing a trader accreditation program.

Apart from her work on Codes of Practice, Michaela has been involved with other technical issues. She was a member of the ARA committee on species testing and contributed expert advice on the impact of rodenticide in pork on rendered products. At the Thai fact-finding audit in 2018, Michaela impressed the auditors with the quality systems she set up at Master Butchers and helped to demonstrate that the Australian rendering industry has reliable and robust quality management.

Bob Mostyn

Bob is a long-time supporter of the ARA and had a personal connection with Ron Lyon. Bob employed Ron as a tallow trader at Craig Mostyn and in accepting the award he paid tribute to Ron and brought back some memories.

Rick Carter

Rick is an Agricultural Science graduate from Adelaide University and went on to complete a Master of Science degree in Animal Nutrition at Aberdeen University in Scotland. On his return to Australia he was employed by the Veterinary Division of Bayer Australia in 1980 as a nutritionist where his involvement with animal protein meals and fats began in pig feed concentrates and petfood. In 1984 Rick went to Canada where he completed a Ph.D at the University of Guelph before returning to Bayer Animal Health where he continued to work until 1993 when he joined Ridley AgriProducts as the Technical Manager for Ridley’s Queensland operations. Rick then joined Kemin AgriFoods in 1998 as the Technical Services Manager for Australia and New Zealand, so Rick’s involvement with the rendering industry has been as both a customer and a supplier, as well as directly with the Australian Renderer’s Association.

Rick has atternded every symposium, except 1997, and been a member of the symposium organising committee continuously since 2007 and took un the difficult task of getting papers submitted prior to the event for each symposium since 2011. He has contributed significant effort also by being a presenter at the ARA accreditation workshops since 2000, a total of over 20 workshops.

Tim Juzefowicz

Tim continuously served the industry as a director for 14 years, being first elected to the position in 2000.

His ability to read and decipher technical documents has been invaluable to industry. He has championed many difficult issues, not the least being the carbon tax, and gaining an understanding to advise members of the options available to offset the significant costs associated with it.

Tim is a member of the World Renderers Association executive and scheduled to assume the presdiency in 2015.

The association appointed Tim to the position of Non-Executive Tachnical Director in July 2014 to assist the directors on technical matters.

Bill Trollope

Bill commenced engineering in the late sixties and joined Keith Engineering in 1972 working in New Zealand on rendering plant installations, returning to Sydney in 1973 to work in the rendering industry to gain operational and maintenance experience on Keith equipment. In 1976 he re-joined Keith Engineering taking up the roll of Project Manager and spent many years on design, construction and installations, covering all aspects of the rendering equipment manufactured by Keith.

Bill has held the position of General Manager since 1994 overseeing the company including the redesigning and updating of equipment to maintain and meet today’s standards.

He has taken an active roll within the ARA and has offered continued support to the industry over his many years in the industry.

Paul Stenzel

Paul has had a varied and distinguished career in both the meat and rendering industry working with South Burnett, Cominya, AMH, Gardner Smith, Brisbane Export Corporation and now Wilmar Gavilon.

Paul was National Vice President from 1999 to 2001 when he became National President of ARA until 2008. He forged a strong working relationship with AQIS in Canberra which has been an invaluable line of communication.

Has been actively involved in all facets of the Association’s activities.

Kevin Pratt

A native of New Zealand, Kevin has been involved in rendering all his working life.

He has been with Camilleri Stockfeeds since 1990 and been instrumental in that companies growth and development during that period.

Kevin has been a committed supporter of ARA activities and was a key player in the development of the Code of Practice.

Kevin Pratt

A native of New Zealand, Kevin has been involved in rendering all his working life.

He has been with Camilleri Stockfeeds since 1990 and been instrumental in that companies growth and development during that period.

Kevin has been a committed supporter of ARA activities and was a key player in the development of the Code of Practice.

Andrew Bennett

Andy came to the rendering industry after having been involved for many years in the beef and sheepmeat processing industry. He quickly became involved in assisting on committees beginning in 1993 and has been a member of the symposium organising committee since the very first event in 1991. He has chaired that committee since 1995. His significant network of international contacts has been of great benefit to the Australian industry in sourcing expert speakers to present at our symposia.

He served as president of the Association from 1997 to 2001 and was instrumental in the forming of the World Renderers organisation in 1999 and served as President of WRO from 2003 to 2005.

Reg Evans (Dec)

Reg started his career in accounting before moving on to trading tallow, fats and oils.

He became National President of the ARA on 23 August 1991 and held that office through to 19 August 1994.

Reg is seen here with his Ron Lyon Award and Honest Scales.

The Association sadly advises of the passing of Reg on 6 March 2018

Russell Kenworthy

Russell received the inaugral Ron Lyon award which began as a study award for young achievers in the industry and provided a $5000 grant to support travel and other expenses incurred in an investigation of rendering issues.

Russell investigated the use of filtration techniques to refine tallow and compare the cost of filtration as compared to centrifugation.

Russell is seen here receiving his award from Mrs. Lyn Lyon, with chair of the judging panel Brad Christensen looking on.

David Pinches

David is the Managing Director of Pinches Industries, an engineering company. Over the years, he and his team have consistently supported the Association’s activities, including sponsoring the biannual ARA International Symposium and the ARA hygienic rendering workshops. Through his companies, Keith Engineering and Abattoir Engineering, David has served the Australian rendering industry extensively. Keith Engineering has been a major sponsor of the Symposium since sponsorships began in 1999. Additionally, David’s Keith Engineering has contributed both financial support and expertise to the ARA’s hygienic rendering workshops for many years. David further supports the industry by collaborating with MLA, AMPC, and Monash University on research in rendering technology.

Damian Evans

Damian is a director of the Association and has taken on a number of ARA issues. He led the review of the ARA constitution resulting in a revised and more practical constitution and with his accounting background has provided guidance in ensuring the continued financial viability of the Association.

Graeme Banks

Graeme’s service to the ARA is unquestioned but his association and friendship with Brian made the award particularly appropriate.

Graeme tirelessly served the Association as Secretary / Executive Officer for 37 years and was instrumental in ensuring that the association was respected by all levels of government with which we deal.

A.J. Bush & Sons (Manufactures) Pty Ltd

A.J. Bush and Sons (Manufactures) Pty Ltd have been major supporters of the ARA Accreditation Workshops since they commenced at UWS Richmond in 1991. They opened their plant at Riverstone for attendees to visit and experience different processing methods that were often unseen by many attendees prior to the visit.

When the workshops were transferred from Richmond to UQ Gatton in Queensland in 2011, the company willingly offered their site at Bromelton for the same purpose and have continued to welcome attendees of the accreditation workshops.

Stephen Cooke

Stephen has been a stalwart of the industry over a very long period. He has served as a director for 14 years, as a member of the symposium committee for the same time.

When problems have arisen with market access issues his intimate knowledge ofthe markets, the players and the issues have been invaluable in assisting the various government departments in resolving those issues.

This same knowledge has also assisted greatly by inviting and attracting these same industry customers to our symposia.

Dennis King

Dennis served as a director for 11 years, and as a member of the symposium committee for the same time.

In 2005 and 2007 he organised nutrition workshops in China and Philipinnes to showcase Australian rendered products to major feedmills.

He rewrote the association website as well as the dedicated symposium website. He also produced the booklet, A Pocket Guide to Australian Rendered Product.

In 2013 he suceeded Graeme Banks as Executive Officer of the Association.

Cam Wilkinson

Cam started with A J Bush & Sons (Manufactures) Ltd as Sydney Office Manager in 1977 and became General Manager NSW around 2000, responsible for the Riverstone plant providing service to the red meat and poultry industries.

He has taken a keen interest in the rendering industry over many years, providing assistance to the ARA Hygenic Rendering Workshops and provided strong drive and support for the Industry Benchmarking Program, a vital initiative that will provide invaluable information to industry to combat the effects of the carbon tax.

Don Seaton

Don received his award for service to and investment in the fats and oils industry.

Don joined Gardner Smith in 1951 and in 1964. Charles Gardner gave him the opportunity to buy a controlling interest and from then he remained Managing Director until 1993. He was Chairman of the Board until 2007 and he remained as a nonexecutive director until his retirement in October 2009.

In the 1960s with Gardner Smith’s position in the Australian market firmly established, Don actively pursued opportunities for expansion into overseas markets. He travelled extensively to countries such as Pakistan, Iraq, Iran, India, South Africa and East Africa to promote the company and Australian products, particularly fats and oils, and establish business relationships.

Don encouraged continued expansion into bulk liquid storage and by 1970, with the valued assistance of John Tranter, who at the time was Victorian Manager and Company Director, terminals had been established in Melbourne, Brisbane, Fremantle and Adelaide then Devonport soon followed.

In the early 1980s Don identified China as a developing market and arranged a company trade mission. He was responsible for continuing expansion during the 1980s with offices and terminals established in Singapore, New Zealand, UK and South Africa.

In 2004 Don Seaton was presented with an Australian Export Hero Award by the Australian Institute of Export.

Ed Klim

For well over a decade Ed has held a senior position within the Government Departmental structure in Canberra with particular emphasis on the areas involved with what can loosely be called primary industry. This area obviously covers directly the Australian livestock and meat industries as well as indirectly all facets of Government which have an impact on these two very important industries. This is aside from the many other independent industries which fall within the primary industry classification.

From the time of his involvement with primary industries matters he has always shown a strong desire to fully understand the machinations of the individual industries and in this regard the Australian rendering industry has benefitted from his quickly acquired broad knowledge of the rendering industry and particularly the vital role that it plays within the total Australian livestock and meat industries.

He has proven time and time again a readiness and an endeavour to assist with any issues as and when they arise and some, over his time at a high policy related level within the Department, have been major – particularly those involved say with residues and with the classic one being the assistance provided to Government and industry in the early parts of 1990s flowing from the outbreak of BSE in the United Kingdom in the late 1980’s. Through his direct involvement with SAFEMEAT he has assisted the Australian rendering industry through its efforts to develop an industry Code of Practice for the Hygienic Rendering of Animal Products (later to become an Australian Standard) and over more recent years with the acceptance of the Association’s Code of Practice for the Recycling of Used Cooking Fats and Oils as a National Standard.

His admirable work for and on behalf of many industries, and of course in particular the Australian rendering industry, is greatly appreciated by all who have had dealings with him and/or who have benefited significantly by the assistance he has been only too willing to give.

Dr Gardner Murray

Gardner was the Australian Chief Veterinary Officer at the time when BSE first became a major issue for the United Kingdom Government in the late 1980s. He very early in the piece realized that the ramifications of this particular disaster for the UK livestock and meat industries would not stay within the boundaries of the UK and that the flow-on effects thereof would inevitably cause significant problems for particularly the Australian cattle and sheep industries and, as a consequence, all industry related thereto including the Australian rendering industry.

He was very proactive in taking steps to ensure that any problems for Australia were kept to an absolute minimum! In this regard he arranged for his UK counterpart to visit Australia so as to provide the opportunity for livestock, meat and related industries’ leaders to meet with him to gain, firsthand, knowledge as to the extent of the problem facing the UK Government. He also encouraged industries to take whatever steps were needed to ensure that their systems were such that any flow-on effects from the UK BSE disaster would be minimized.

His quick action and forward thinking provided the opportunity for the Australian rendering industry to develop its Code of Practice for the Hygienic Rendering of Animal Products (which
subsequently became an Australian Standard) and to introduce a system of accreditation of rendering establishments as complying with the Code. This was followed by accreditation workshops to train hands-on industry personnel in good rendering practices as well as the convening of a Symposium in order to inform and educate the general industry in all aspects relating to rendering. It is pleasing to note that the accreditation workshops have continued to be held each year – sometimes twice each year – and that Symposia have been held every
two years since the first one in 1991.

It was timely that Gardner should be recognized by the ARA for his contributions to the industry of which the BSE example above is, albeit the major one, only one of many ways in which he assisted the industry with his wisdom and insight over many years.