AWA Welcomes New Directors following 2026 Annual General Meeting

The Australian Wagyu Association (AWA) formally announced the results of the 2026 Director election at the Association’s Annual General Meeting held on 2 November 2026, welcoming three Directors to the Board and recognising the significant contributions of two retiring Board members.

Four nominations were received for the available Director positions, reflecting the strong interest and commitment of members to the ongoing governance and strategic direction of the Association.

Following the completion of the election process, members elected:

Karen Bultitude-Froud – Carnana Station Wagyu, Narrabundah, ACT

Karen brings a wealth of experience from a distinguished international career as an academic and evaluation consultant. After returning to Australia in 2017 to support her family’s cattle enterprise, she developed a strong passion for the Wagyu breed and the opportunities presented by data-driven decision making.

Karen joins the Board with a commitment to helping ensure Wagyu remains at the forefront of global premium beef production through innovation, science and strategic thinking.

Tom Hardwick – Miist Rural Pty Ltd, Coogee, NSW

A member of the AWA since 2023, Tom operates a Wagyu breeding enterprise in Jugiong, New South Wales. He is currently transitioning from a 600-head F1 program to an 800-head Fullblood operation, leveraging artificial insemination and embryo transfer technologies to enhance herd quality and genetic progress.

Tom also brings extensive commercial and governance experience through his leadership of a private equity firm, ownership interests across multiple industries and service on several boards.

Hamish McIntyre – McIntyre Agriculture Pty Ltd, St George, Queensland

Hamish was re-elected to the Board and brings significant experience in agricultural leadership and governance. A Wagyu breeder from southwest Queensland, Hamish currently serves as President of the National Farmers’ Federation and has previously held the roles of AWA Treasurer and Chair of the Audit Committee.

His continued contribution provides valuable continuity as the Association pursues its strategic priorities during a period of ongoing growth.

Acknowledging Retiring Directors

The AGM also marked the retirement of two highly respected Directors whose leadership has helped shape the Association’s development in recent years.

Laird Morgan

Laird Morgan concluded six years of service on the AWA Board, including three years as Board Chair and President.

During his tenure, Laird oversaw the successful implementation of the Association’s Helical platform and the introduction of Wagyu Breeding Values, delivering major advancements in the services and tools available to members. His leadership played an important role in strengthening AWA’s position as a global leader in Wagyu genetics and breed development.

Jeremy Cooper

Jeremy Cooper retired after three years of service on the Board, concluding his term as Senior Vice President.

As Chair of the Conference and Competitions Committee, Jeremy led the continued growth of WagyuEdge, helping transform the conference into an internationally recognised event attended by more than 900 delegates. He also played a key role in expanding the Association’s international engagement and event offerings.

On behalf of the membership, the Board extends its sincere thanks to both Laird and Jeremy for their dedication, leadership and service to the Australian Wagyu industry.

2026-2027 Board of Directors

The AWA Board for the 2026-2027 term comprises:

Karen Bultitude-Ford
Damien Curr
Robyn Elphick
Steve Gibbons
Tom Hardwick
Melinee Leather
Hamish McIntyre
Nathan Roberts
Adam Withers

The Board combines a diverse range of expertise across seedstock and commercial production, genetics, agribusiness, governance and international market development, ensuring the Association remains well positioned to deliver value for members and continue advancing the Australian Wagyu breed.

Following the AGM, the newly constituted Board met to appoint office bearers for the 2026-2027 term. Robyn Elphick was subsequently elected President of the Australian Wagyu Association, while Hamish McIntyre was elected Senior Vice President, Steve Gibbons was elected Junior Vice President and Nathan Roberts was elected Treasurer.

IMPORTANT NOTICE - Terms & Conditions

It is a condition of use of this database that you accept these terms and conditions.

It is important that you appreciate when accessing the Australian Wagyu Association Limited (AWA) database (which may be hosted on an external website) that the information contained on the AWA database, including but not limited to pedigree, DNA information, Wagyu Breeding Values (WBVs) and Index values (together called Database Information), is based on data supplied by AWA members and/or third parties. 

Whilst sincere effort is made to ensure the Database Information is accurate and complete, to the extent permitted by law, AWA, its officers and employees, shall not be responsible for its use or interpretation, and you use the Database Information at your own risk. Please be aware of the following limitations of the Database Information.

Regarding WBVs and Index values, it is important to appreciate, and you need to be aware that: 

WBVs are derived using genetic evaluation technology developed for the AWA, using information contained within the AWA database and parameters derived from it.
WBVs are estimates of genetic potential of individual animals and may change with addition of new data or with new parameters.
WBVs are genetic merit estimates only and may not reflect the raw animal phenotype.
WBVs can only be directly compared to other WBVs calculated in the same AWA genetic analysis.

Regarding pedigree and DNA testing results submitted to the AWA, it is important to appreciate, and you need to be aware that: 

Animals whose registration identifiers start with PED are Pedigree Recorded Animals. What this means is that the details which AWA used to register the animal were obtained from a Recognised Wagyu Registry Organisation – in other words a Wagyu breed association based outside of Australia. AWA has not independently verified the information with respect to the animal or the details recorded about the animal. You should read AWA’s by-laws which set out details regarding the definition of a Pedigree Recorded Animal. 
Pedigree and DNA data submitted and supplied to AWA may have errors in it which cannot be detected without further DNA testing. 
Technology may have advanced since a particular test was undertaken so that genetic issues or inaccuracies which were previously not detectable are now able to be detected by current testing technology (i.e. if the animal was tested again with current technology). 
AWA estimates that less than 1% of the pedigree entries, ownership or breeding details in the AWA Herdbook may have errors or which may be misleading. For this reason, users ought to consider if they need to obtain independent testing of the relevant animal (if possible) to ensure that the data is accurate.

Regarding prefectural content, it is important to appreciate, and you need to be aware that: 

Prefectural content is based on the estimation of prefectural origin from Japanese breeding records of 201 foundation sires and 168 foundation dams. As genotype-based parent verification is not used in Japan, and full Japanese registration certificates are not available for all foundation animals, exact prefectural composition for these sires and dams cannot be validated. 
The calculation of prefectural content for Australian Herdbook animals relies on the accuracy of pedigree records and DNA samples provided by AWA members.

Regarding DNA testing and genetic condition results submitted to the AWA, it is important to appreciate, and you need to be aware that: 

As genetic testing results are provided by independent DNA testing laboratories at the request of AWA members, AWA relies solely on the accuracy of the reporting of genetic testing as completed by the laboratories. 
AWA uses GeneProb software to calculate the likelihood of pedigree animals being a carrier of genetic conditions. This likelihood is an estimate based on the available genetic testing results.

If you consider that you do not understand or appreciate the nature and/or implications of the data provided on this website or the WBVs of a particular animal, then AWA strongly recommends that you seek expert advice.  Note there is substantial technical information and articles on the Wagyu website to assist our members.

AWA’s liability for any loss or damage, consequential or otherwise, suffered or incurred by you or your related business, arising directly or indirectly from your use of Database Information, to the extent permitted by law, is limited to AWA providing you with a refund for the fees paid for the service (if any), or AWA re-performing the service, where possible, at the election of AWA.

AWA administers this database in good faith to support AWA members and the industry. AWA does not represent or warrant that the animals recorded in this database, or animals breed from them, will achieve any particular genetic or phenotype performance.

THIS DISCLAIMER HAS BEEN UPDATED AS OF 03/02/2026, PLEASE ENSURE YOU HAVE READ IT IN DETAIL