RWTA Life Members

For outstanding services to the Australian Cold Chain Industry, the Cold Storage Association and the RWTA

A.B. (Bruce) Barclay

New South Wales

Bruce entered the Cold Chain Industry in 1950 when he was appointed assistant to the manager, Waterside Cold Stores at Pyrmont NSW. He was made manager in 1954 and remained until his retirement in 1980. Always active in the Cold Storage Associations, Bruce represented the industry on many committees. He was elected a Life Member in 1973 after serving as President NSWCSA and later President CSAA. He now lives in retirement at Longueville NSW.

R.J. (Ray) Barry

South Australia

Ray joined producer's Cold Storage Limited as Manager in 1960. This company merged with South Australian Cold Stores in 1967 and Ray became Assistant General Manager of the group. In 1972 he was appointed joint General Manager and then General Manager in 1974, as well as being appointed a Director of South Australian Cold Stores Pty Ltd. During 1988, the new owners of SACS formed a Cold Storage Division with Ray as Manager for South Australia and Director. In 1991, he was appointed General Manager of the SACS Cold Storage Division and Director. In 1993, SACS was acquired by John Swire & Sons and Ray was appointed Managing Director. During 1996, Ray retired as Managing Director of SACS but continues to act in the capacity as a consultant and Director to the SACS Group of Companies. He was Secretary of the SA Cold Storage Association from 1961-1971 and President in 1975-1979. Ray represented South Australia on the Federal Executive from 1996-1976. He was Federal President on the Federal Executive and was elected a life member in 1979.

R.S. (Ross) Bell

New South Wales

Coming from am accounting background with Namco, Royal Doulton & Sony Corporation, Ross entered the Cold Chain Industry in 1981 when he joined Frigmobile Pty Ltd as their Financial Controller. In that position, which he held until September 1984, he was responsible for total accounting and administration of Frigmobile and its many subsidiaries and associated companies. It was September 1984 that Ross took over the Chief Executive role of the company when Robin Elix, the then MD, unfortunately retired with multiple sclerosis. Ross held the position of President/Chairman of the association from 1993-1999 and was elected a Life Member in 1997.

C.C. Bennet (Deceased)

West Australia

C. Booth (Deceased)

West Australia

P.G. (Paul) Burn

Queensland

Paul joined the Cold Storage Association of Australia in 1983 as an Associate Member. In 1993, when the Refrigerated Transport Industry and the Cold Storage Association merged and formed the RWTA, Paul became a Board Member. He served on the board for 13 years and was National Chairman of the RWTA from 2000 to 2002 and Immediate Past Chairman from 2003 to 2007.

Paul is a former Senior Executive in the Transport Logistics arena, specialising in all aspects of the perishable food distribution for 32 years. He has a diverse background in all management responsiblities ranging from operational duties to strategic planning, logistics solutions, due diligence, equipment design, materials handling, operationl re-organisation, e-route systems, B2B and B2C business and senior account management.

Paul has completed studies in the distribution of horticultural products at UCAL Davis-Sacramento and is responsible for many contributions to the distribution and supply chain analysis of horticultural products in Australia. He is also a graduate of the Mt Eliza Senior Executive Program, and is the current Chairman of the Air Freight Council of Queensland and a memeber of The Australian Logistics Council.

H.R. (Harold) Chamberlain

South Australia

Harold came from a family background of orchardists. He joined the Department of Agriculture as a Fruit Inspector and was responsible for supervising and controlling the condition of export fruit in cold storage. In 1961, he was appointed Assistant Manager of Paracombe Cold Store and in 1963 Manager of Kersbrook Co-Operative Society. He instigated the amalgamation of Kersbrook and Paracombe Cold Stores and was made General Manager. Later, Gumeracho Co-Op and Cuddlee Creek Co-Op were taken over and came under Harold's control. In 1982, Harold joined Balhannah Co-Op as General Manager, and then retired in 1989. During his many years in the Cold Chain Industry, Harold was State Secretary for four years and was actively involved in all committees. He was made a life member in 1987.

B.J. (Barry) Cleland

Victoria

After working as a civil engineer for 8 years, Barry joined the family company in 1969, working first as an engineer and then as manager of the food processing company. In 1979 Barry became General Manager of Clelands Cold Stores and in 1982 Managing Director of the Cleland Group of Companies. Since then, Clelands have grown 7 times in size and expanded to Western Australia, New Zealand and as a contract manager in Korea. In 1987, the company listed on the stock exchange. Barry has been an active member of the Victorian Cold Storage Association, and later the RWTA, for many years and served as president in 1984 & 1985. He has been a member of the federal Executive of the RWTA since the late 80's, and was one of the members that brought about the introduction of refrigerated transport operators into the association, which then became the RWTA in 1993. Barry was also a member of and became the Victorian President on AIRAH in 1993-94 and showed leadership in the phase-out of CFC as refrigerants for refrigerated transport. For this, Clelands won the 1994 AFI Environmental Award. Barry has been involved with community service since the 70's and has been a member of Kiwanis and President of his club in 1982-83. He was made a life member in 1997.

F. (Frank) Cole (Deceased)

Tasmania

F.W. Collins (Deceased)

South Australia

N.R. Cooke (Deceased)

New South Wales

D.R. (Doug) Cory

Queensland

Doug Cory entered into a successful business partnership with Don Johnston, founder of D.R. Johnston, in 1968. The new company adopted the name Cory Johnston Pty Ltd. As a meat exporter and wholesale butcher, Cory Johnston Pty Ltd relied heavily upon the Cold Storage Industry.

In 1976, Doug purchased six acres of land on Lytton Road, Hemmant, with the intention of entering the Cold Storage Industry. In 1979, on this site and under the name of Doboy Cold Stores Pty Ltd, Doug built his first cold store. When the fledgling site was opened, it consisted of two Refrigerated Chambers, two Blast Freezers and a holding capacity of 2000 pallets.

In 1980, Doboy became a member of the Cold Storage Association of Australia (CSA), and Doug became an ardent supporter of this association. He continuously held various committee positions within the CSA, including CSA State Chairman (1992-93); and in its successor, the Refrigerated Warehouse and Transport Association (RWTA), as a Board Member (1993-99), until his semi-retirement in 1999.

In recognition of his nineteen continuous years of service to the Cold Storage Industry of Australia, Doug Cory was made a Life Member of the RWTA in 2000.

Doug remains an active Director of Doboy Cold Stores Pty Ltd, and a passionate supporter of the Cold Storage Industry, to this day.

R. (Richard) Curry

Victoria

Richard was president of the CSIAV from 1977-78 and served as the Victorian representative to the CSAA as Vice President from 1982-89 and as senior Vice President 1987-91.

M.T. (Merv) Delzoppo

Victoria

Merv Delzoppo joined Floyds Ice & Cold Storage Works in April 1650. The company became Frozen Food Industries in 1963. Merv retired in 1980 after 30 years service as Manager, Ice & Cold Stores Division.  He served as delegate to the Victorian Ice & Cold Storage Association from 1952-78. During this time, Merv was President of the Victorian Ice & Cold Storage Association, President of the Australian Associated Ice Industries and Senior Vice President of the CSAA. He attended all Federal Conferences from 1951-78. He was elected a Life Member in 1975.

E. (Eric) Elliott

Western Australia

S.C. (Simon) Earthrowl

New South Wales

In 1970, Simon commenced his career in Gosford working for the Meat Exporting Company, Charles David Pty Ltd. In 1973, the group developed Central Coast Cold Stores and Simon was appointed Manager. He served in this role until 1987 when Metro Meat purchased the Charles David Group of companies, and was appointed State Manager of the Cold Storage Division. During this 21 years Simon represented the CSAA and later RWTA in numerous positions; NSW President (5 years), NSW Delegate on Federal Board (7 years), Export Meat Industry Advisory Council (8 years), Federal President (2 years), Board Member (15 years). In 1991, Simon developed a FoodPark - Refrigerated Warehouses of Australia at Gosford, providing the Food Processing Industry with cold storage, food processing rooms and transport services. Simon was honoured with Life Membership in 1997, and finally left the Board of the RWTA in 1999, after a period of 26 years.

S.M. (Stan) Guilfoyle

Victoria

Stan Guilfoyle served the Cold Chain Industry well for many years. He represented the industry on a number of boards and committees, including Frozen Goods Board (1962-68), Research Committee, Costs & Rates (1958-61) Joint Overseas Shipping Association (1967), NHMRC 1967. He was President of the CSAA 1965-67. Stan was elected a Life Member in 1968.

R. (Richard) Guy OBE

Victoria

The Guy Family entered the Refrigeration Industry in the late 1920's when a local store in Bendigo was acquired, which soon began to produce ice. Richard Guy completed a graduate course in Refrigeration at the King's College, University of London. Upon graduation, he joined the family company in 1970. He is currently Managing Director of Crystal Ice & Cold Stores Co. Richard has always been active in Association affairs; he served as President of the CSIAV 1977-79, as the Victorian representative from 1982-89 and as Vice President 1987-91. He is a member of the International Institute of Refrigeration and represents the RWTA on that body. He has attended many international conferences and his knowledgeable contribution to the industry in Australia is greatly valued.

W.B. Hannaford (Deceased)

South Australia

B.F. (Barry) Harvey AM

Victoria

E.W. Heyson (Deceased)

South Australia

P.S. (Stan) Hill

New South Wales

Col. J.F. Howard, OBE, ED, CH, de C (Deceased)

New South Wales

M. (Max) Hutchinson

Tasmania

Starting with the Union Steamship Co in Sydney in 1948, Max transferred to Burnie with that company in 1953 and joined FH Stephens, where he became involved in refrigerated containers in 1970. Max took over as Manager at the Burnie Port Authority Cold Stores in 1982 and became active in the Tasmanian Cold Storage Association. Max served two terms as the Tasmanian CSA President and was Treasurer for five years. From 1968- 97, Max was the Tasmanian representative on the national boards of the CSAA and the RWTA. Max was made a life member of the RWTA in 1996 and retired in 1997.

South Australia

W. Kajewski MBE (Deceased)

Queensland

M. (Mel) Kitson

Western Australia

S. Lewis (Deceased)

Queensland

R. (Richard) Litherland (Deceased)

Queensland

Richard entered the industry in 1940 as an office boy at Musgrave Cold Stores (Birt & Co), becoming Assistant Manager in 1968. By the time P & O Australia had acquired Birt & Co and decided to build a new cold storage at Hamilton, Richard moved to Hamilton as Superintendent in 1969, later becoming Store Manager, and then in 1981, Queensland Manager for P & O Cold Storage. He served terms as President of the CSAA and retired in 1988, now spending "too much time playing golf".

J.W. McLaren (Deceased)

Queensland

M.J. (Maurice) McLaren

Queensland

Maurice McLaren started work at the Queensland Co-Operative Cold Storage Federation Ltd. He ultimately became General Manager where he remained until his retirement in 1980, after 30 years association with the industry. During this time, he was President of both the CSAQ and the CSAA.

G.V. (Sandy) Mead

South Australia

P.J. Mitchell (Deceased)

Victoria

K.D. Murphie (Deceased)

New South Wales

R.H. Naismith (Deceased)

Victoria

J.G. Pinnell (Deceased)

Queensland

B.M. (Brian) Pugh

South Australia

Brian Pugh was employed by Charles David from 1963-69. He was appointed Manager when Port Adelaide Freezers Pty Ltd was built, and then in 1979, he became Managing Director. In 1987, Metro Meat Ltd Acquired the Charles David operation, having previously taken over South Australia Cold Stores Ltd. The takeover was a Cold Storage Division formed with Brian Pugh as General Manager. He was President of the SACSA in 1977 and 1981-82, and has represented South Australia on the Federal Executive. He is a past President of the CSAA and was elected a Life Member in 1985.

T.F. Rice CBE (Deceased)

South Australia

K. (Ken) Scott (Deceased)

Victoria

After service with Wildrige & Sinclair, Melbourne, Kyabram Fruit Preserving Co and Ballarat Cold Stores, Ken Scott joined W. Woodmason Cold Stores as Engineer in 1954. He was appointed General Manager and a Director in 1974, becoming Managing Director in 1978. Ken has been involved with the association for many years, having been President of the CSIAV and President of the CSAA in 1982-83.

D. Skehan (Deceased)

Queensland

R.B. (Roy) Stewart

New South Wales

Roy Stewart spent 43 years serving the meat and cold storage industries. He first joined Homebush Abattoirs in 1934 as a Meat Inspector. After six years of service, in which he rose to the rank of Captain, Roy returned to Homebush as Assistant Manager, Meat Markets. He became Manager, Meat Markets and then Cold Store Manager in 1953. He remained with Homebush until his retirement in 1977. He was the Employers Representative on the Conciliation Committee for many years and a member of the Crown Employees Advisory Committee. After his retirement, Roy became Secretary of the NSWCSA and was made a life member in 1979.

R.L. (Ray) Tanner

South Australia

W.R. (Warwick) Unsworth

Victoria

Warwick has been associated with the Cold Chain Industry since 1960 when he joined the Cleland Organisation. In 1968, he became Manager of the Cold Storage Division and, in the same year, was responsible for establishing the Victorian State Division and the Victorian State Frozen Distribution Centre for what is now Coles Myer. In the mid 1970's, Warwick was appointed as a Director of the Cleland Parent Company. In 1979, he joined the Woodmason Organisation as Victorian State Manager and in 1992 was appointed to the position of Managing Director, a position which he still holds today. Warwick has played a key role in the development and introduction of Fully Automated Computerised Refrigerated Warehousing in Australia, with the most recent project (completed in 1997) at Minto Sydney ranked as one of the most technologically advanced worldwide. Warwick has been involved in the industry over a long period and is a past Victorian State President (mid 1980's) and has represented the State as a Director of the National Association since 1990. He also played a significant role in the development of the industry Code of Practice relative to the storage and handling of refrigerated foods. Warwick, who has completed Post Graduate studies in Business Administration, was a Member of the Advisory Committee associated with Post Graduate Management Education at Swinburne University for some 20 years. He was elected Life Member of the RWTA in 1997.

F.W.B. (Frank) Vale (Deceased)

Victoria

Frank Vale entered the Dairy Industry in 1925 and became General Manager, Hamilton, Vic, which was a position he held for 16 years. In 1952, Frank joined W. Woodmason Cold Storage as General Manager, becoming Managing Director in 1953.  He guided Woodmasons through a period of change from ice manufacturer to cold storage. Frank represented the CSA on the Australia Committee of the International Institute of Refrigeration, being Chairman for 3 years. As Chairman in 1976, he organised the first conference of the IIR to be held in the Southern Hemisphere. Over the years, Frank Vale pioneered the use of insulated panel construction in Australian Cold Stores and introduced forklifts into the industry to service the new type of store. Frank, who retired in 1975, was a great innovator and as such made a major contribution to the growth of the modern Cold Chain Industry for our country. For these reasons, the annual "Frank Vale Award" is named in his honour.

I.R. Waddell (Deceased)

New South Wales

G. Walpole (Deceased)

Tasmania

W. (Wal) Woolley

New South Wales

Born in 1912 in Cardiff NSW, Wal became an Apprentice Electrical Mechanic with BHP in 1928. He was with BHP until 1949 when he joined Darks Ice & Cold Storage of Newcastle as Works Electrician. He was appointed Engineer in 1967, Works Manager in 1973 and General Manager in 1975. Wal then became Managing Director, a position in which he remained until his retirement in 1986. He was active in association affairs and was President of the NSWCSA 1979-80 and the CSAA 1981-81. He was elected a Life Member in 1982.

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