John Edwards named live export Lifetime Achiever

27 November 2025

Australia’s livestock exporters have come together to recognise a true champion of the industry at a gala dinner held in Perth as part of the industry’s LIVEXchange conference.

John Edwards has been presented with the Ian McIvor Lifetime Achiever Award and inducted into the industry’s Hall of Fame, in recognition of a lifetime’s worth of hard work and commitment to the live export industry.

LiveCorp Chair Troy Setter, who presented the award, highlighted the tireless efforts of Mr Edwards over more than 40 years, until his retirement earlier this year.

“John started out as a shipboard stockperson back in the 1980s and has gone on to be respected across the globe for his insights and expertise,” Mr Setter said.

“He’s consistently gone above and beyond, offering his time, knowledge and leadership to drive meaningful change. His efforts have led to substantive improvements and set new benchmarks for the industry.”

Mr Edwards joined the industry at a time Australia was exporting millions of sheep a year. He lived in Saudi Arabia for many years, working for local companies to improve breeding and importing operations, and sourcing sheep from around the world.

Mr Edwards ran the Australian-based operations for several Middle Eastern companies, as well as local ones. He was the longest-serving chair of the WA Livestock Exporters’ Association and spent 16 years as a director of the Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council.

He says he’s humbled to be included in the ranks of industry stalwarts already in the Hall of Fame.

“There’s no other industry I can think of with such intense commercial rivalry, but at the same time a strong fellowship for the common benefit of the trade,” Mr Edwards said.

“My time in Saudi Arabia opened my eyes to the significant role Australian sheep played in the Middle East, supporting food security and their cultural lifestyle.

“It also reinforced the value of the trade to Australian farmers. Live exports provided an avenue for millions of sheep after the reserve price scheme for wool collapsed, and did the same during the millennium drought. Processors alone would not have coped – together, we helped farmers to stay in the industry.

“I’m proud and privileged to have been part of the industry and, in some small way, having helped to contribute to its success.”