Graeme Goodsir ('52)

Graeme Campbell Goodsir, a true gentleman and diplomat in an international meat industry, passed away peacefully in his home in Mechanicsburg in Pennsylvania aged eighty-seven.

Graeme grew up in Haberfield and won a scholarship to Trinity. He commenced at the School in 1947 in Year 7 and continued until his leaving year in 1952. During this time, Graeme demonstrated early signs of leadership in both academic and sporting fields. This leadership was reflected in him becoming Captain of the 1st XI Cricket team, where he excelled in spin bowling – on one occasion taking 5 for 27 against Saint Aloysius’, including capturing a hat trick. For this he was presented with an inscribed cricket ball.

He was also a Prefect and was Captain of Archer House.

Upon leaving School, Graeme embarked in an early career with the Australian Mutual Provident Society and enrolled in a Bachelor of Economics and Accounting Diploma (ASA) as a part time evening student at Sydney University. Graeme continued his association with the School, including representing the OTU in ongoing toasts to the School and active in other Old Boy school functions.

Graeme joined Dalgety’s in 1958 and furthered his studies in the livestock area by undertaking a meat inspection course at the then East Sydney Technical College. He transferred to the London Head Office and gained valuable work experience in the Smithfield Wholesale Meat Market. When a work opportunity arose with the Australian Meat Board in 1963, Graeme was appointed to the position at a time when expanded opportunities for meat exports from Australia were growing. Graeme surveyed the Japanese market and the Middle Eastern market in 1968 leading to improved sales. Before long, Graeme was appointed to the US in 1972 as the Australian Meat Board representative for North America. During an almost 70-year career in Australia and the United States, Graeme scaled the heights of the meat industry in both countries. He was honoured with a nomination to the US Meat Industries' Hall of Fame in 2014, the only Australian to have ever been given this honour. The award was for "fostering a global outlook and perspective in the US meat and poultry industry".

Graeme's many notable achievements in North America include being the CEO of Canada Packers in the US, a major meat importer in the 1970s and '80s. He was elected chairman of the Meat Importers Council of America, again the first Australian to reach such a position.

After setting up his own company he was able to use his expertise to become a policy influencer in many spheres in the US, including as a Board Director on the US Livestock Institute and the National Livestock and Meat Board. For any Australian meat exporter travelling to the US over the last 40 years, Graeme was an experienced hand whenever advice was sought, a mentor to two or three generations of exporters and an impeccable communicator and networker. Similarly, Graeme and wife Esme, extended their hands to Trinity visitors alike, with open hospitality and friendship. Graeme gave his visitors mandatory, enjoyable tours of Washington and Gettysburg locations.

One of his many legacies will be his considerable contribution to the history project on meat processing in Australia entitled "World on a Plate". It highlighted his amazing depth of knowledge and memory of people and events.

Graeme and his wife made regular trips to Australia which always included, until recently, a gathering of his OTU colleagues.

Graeme remained engaged with the meat industry right up until his passing where he was self-employed with meat related clients throughout the world. It is unlikely we will see his like again in the Australian meat industry.

Graeme is survived by his wife Esme, son Rohan and daughter- in-law Mary, daughter Kimberley, and brother Warwick. Graeme’s brother Donald predeceased him.

By Stephen Martyn and Warwick Goodsir.