At the annual conference of the Australian Meat Industry Council, (Gold Coast, Friday September 25th), industry ‘heavyweight’ David Larkin was awarded Distinguished Australian of the Year, for his services to the industry. The award caps off a remarkable twenty-six-year career which has seen David rise from a apprentice of the year to GM of the family company at just sixteen, followed by fast-tracked senior positions across every aspect of the meat industry and responsibility for domestic and export enterprises worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
Currently Managing Director of processor and exporter Atron Enterprises (Casino), the Distinguished Australian of the year Award also recognizes David’s involvement on numerous state and national industry and government councils. His incisive reports and input have contributed greatly to ground breaking legislative changes which have raised the standards of the industry.
A larger than life figure in a notoriously tough and sometimes disparate industry, David is a passionate and unifying force committed to maintaining international benchmark standards as well as proposing courageous solutions to contentious issues within the meat industry.
His current roles and achievements have included: Victorian Chairman of the Australian Meat Industry Council (AMIC) and National Export Beef Council Deputy Chairman (AMIC).
Duties include :
- Strategic planning
- Export meat industry advisory council
- Ausmeat standards and language committee
- Expert panel on e coli
- Export meat order and legislative Review Panel
- Member of Redmac industry government panel advising governments on market access
In 2004 David created AMIC/MICA Fat Claim guidelines used as current rules to trade. He is author of the “Larkin Model” for USA Beef Quota to industry, adopted by the Federal Government. He’s also advisor on strategic direction for the meat industry on AQIS meat inspection.
When asked for a reaction to the award, David said “It’s always nice to be recognized by an award which has so many exceptional previous winners, but my work has always been about getting the best out of myself, my staff and the industry.”
For interviews, David Larkin can be contacted on 0410 414 770 or 039 500 0059 /www.atron.com.au
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