The annual Inter-collegiate Meat Judging gave 13 Marcus Oldham College students valuable skills and contacts in the industry.
The event spanned kicked off on July 5, with the competition taking place on the last two days: Friday, July 8, and Saturday, July 9.
The ICMJ event aims to attract passionate young university students in to the meat industry.
It incorporates a careers fair, workshops and a range of guest speakers to give participating students ample opportunity to form networks with a number of prominent companies within the sector.
Twenty-six companies were present at the careers fair, including the Australian Agricultural Company, Teys Australia, Commonwealth Bank, Meat & Livestock Australia, Landmark, Elders and Rivalea Pork.
Soon-to-be graduates can develop connections with potential future employers and form a better understanding of any graduate programs and internships that they had to offer.
The Marcus Oldham team coach, Laura Wishart, said she was exceptionally proud of the team.
“I was so impressed by the attitude of the team.
“They made the most of the week; not only the actual meat judging, but particularly in putting themselves out there and networking with other students and industry people,” Ms Wishart said.
2016 is only the second year that Marcus Oldham College has participated in the competition since 2006.
“Considering how new we are to the competition and my inexperience in coaching an ICMJ team, I’m really happy with how we went,” Ms Wishart said.
Marcus Oldham student Jack Littler, who is studying agribusiness, took out the individual first place in the Beef Eating Quality Class.
“ICMJ has been a fantastic experience for myself and the whole Marcus Oldham team”, Mr Littler said.
Fellow team member Gabrielle Wright said the program developed her skills and broadened her understanding of the meat industry across three sectors; beef, lamb and pork.
Ms Wright also praised the guest speakers.
“The presentations from key industry leaders were really inspirational and a great motivator for someone like myself who is aspiring for a career within the meat industry.”
Tegan Bathgate was awarded with the coach’s award, giving her the opportunity to go to Brisbane for a further week’s training later in the year.
“This event was fantastic and we wouldn’t have been there without our team sponsors,” Ms Wishard said.
The Marcus Oldham Team’s gold sponsors were the Certified Angus Group, Woolworths and JBS.
Their silver sponsors were Gilder Group, Beef Central, Auctions Plus, and Forbes Livestock Agency.