A former AMLC chief, a Darling Downs wool producer and a Brisbane-based livestock geneticist were among several livestock industry identities honoured for their service in today’s Australia Day Awards.

Former Australia Meat and Livestock Corporation (the predecessor of Meat & Livestock Australia) managing director Dr Bruce Standen was appointed a member in the general division of the order of Australia (AM) for service to primary industry, particularly to agricultural economics, sustainability and research.

Dr Standen, of Gordon, NSW, was the final managing director of the AMLC from 1989-1998 at the time it merged with the Meat Research Council to form MLA. He was also deputy managing director of the AMLC from 1985-1989.

Roles he has served in include deputy chairman of Ocean Watch Australia, since 2005, and director since 1997; independent director of Sydney Fish Markets since 1994;  associate consultant, AgEconPlus Consulting, since 2004; NSW Coordinator, Crawford Fund, 2000-2013, and member, since 2013; chairman, University of New England Foundation, 2001-2007; president, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society, 1981-1982, and life member; and past chair of the International Livestock Resources and Information Centre.

Western Australian farmer and politician Murray Nixon of Greenwood Farm, Gingin received an OAM for his service to the Parliament, to the agricultural sector, and to the community, of Western Australia.

From 1993 to 2001 he served on the Western Australian Legislative Council as a Liberal member representing Agricultural Region. He has also been a Liberal Party of Australia federal councilor since 2004.

Mr Nixon also has extensive experience in agricultural representation, with past positions including state president of the Junior Farmer Movement of WA in 1960; president of the Central Midlands Agricultural Society 1969-1970, former president, of the Moora Branch Farmers Union, Miling Zone and Member General Executive (now WAFF), former federal councilor and WA Committee Member, Angus Society of Australia.

A lifetime of dedication to the Queensland Merino Stud Breeders’ Association (QMSSBA) was recognised with an  OAM for Darling Downs sheepman, Bill Benjamin, Hazelmere, Clifton.

Mr Benjamin’s received his award  for service to the Merino sheep industry in Queensland. He was a council member of the Queensland Merino Stud Sheep Breeders’ Association for 40 years, the chairman for one term, and the secretary for 33 years. He was made an honorary association member in 1986 and a life member in 2014.

Mr Benjamin was also the chief steward of the Royal Agricultural Society of Queensland – Toowoomba Royal Show for many years.

Joan Treweeke from Angledool Station, Angledool, was awarded an OAM for her extensive service to rural and remote communities in New South Wales.

She has represented communities in local government, natural resources, the arts, education and community development.

She has been a Board member of the Royal Flying Doctor Service South Eastern Section since 1996, served three years as President, is currently Vice President and spent three years on the National Board. Joan currently serves on the Boards of the Western NSW Local Health District and the Far West Medicare Local. She has a commitment to seeing better health and education services to rural and remote communities.

In 2014 she was named Barwon Woman of the Year

Mitch Hooke spent 15 years in Canberra as an agriculture sector lobbyist and economics forecaster, before shifting his attention to the mining industry as chief executive of the Minerals Council of Australia. He was  named a Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia.

Former Beef Australia executive secretary Wal Taylor from Rockhampton was recognised with an OAM for his service to the information technology sector, and to rural development.

His extensive service to the international community includes positions as founding director and chairman of The Information Society Institute (a not-for-profit policy and framework developer focused on enabling society with information technology in South Africa and other developing countries), since 2005 and facilitator and senior advisor in the establishment of the iKamva National e-Skills Institute, South African Department of Communications, 2008-2014.

He was an instigator and thought leader for the Building Rural Leaders Foundation Program from 1991 to 1994, instigator and founding executive of the Centre for Agricultural Technology 1989-1996; adjunct associate professor, Rural Development, Central Queensland University 1996-1998; Executive Secretary, Beef Australia, 1996-2001; regional manager, Agribusiness, Central and Western Queensland, Queensland Department of Primary Industries, 1992-1997. He was also involved in the establishment of the Cattleman’s Union in the 1970s, and served as executive secretary of Beef Australia fro 1996 to 2001.