Nutrien’s Colby Ede with Oliver Thorne.

NUTRIEN Ag Solutions and the Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council have announced Austrex business development coordinator Oliver Thorne as winner of the 2023 Livestock Exporter Young Achiever of the Year award.

Nutrien Ag Solutions north east region livestock lead Colby Ede presented the award to Mr Thorne at the livestock industry gala dinner in Sydney.

Mr Ede said he was impressed by the passion all the nominees demonstrated for the industry.

“All the nominees that we interviewed expressed how much they loved working in the industry and had a genuine commitment to animal welfare,” he said.

Mr Thorne started his career mustering cattle in the Northern Territory and then became an onboard stockman, while studying an agribusiness degree online. He started working for Austrex as a vessel coordinator, and quickly progressed into a broader role as a business development coordinator, leading technical projects as well as becoming an industry leader and mentor.

ALEC chief executive officer Mark Harvey-Sutton said Mr Thorne is widely respected throughout the industry and was a powerful advocate for the live export trade.

“Oliver’s love for the industry is clear, both in making improvements within the scope of his current role and also in helping to develop and support other young people in his role as Chair of the Young Livestock Exporters Network

“The livestock export industry has many talented young people and this year’s nominees have been no exception.

“The leadership, quality and ongoing sustainability of the industry are in safe hands of all our nominees and in particular, Ollie.”

Source: ALEC