Committee

Jana has a thorough understanding of the needs of the industry, established networks and outstanding knowledge of the labour market in which she operates. One of the points of difference is that she actively advocates the importance of not just hiring well-qualified staff, but also staff retention and further professional and personal development.

She displays high integrity and straight forwardness, which is greatly appreciated by both, her clients and candidates.Her extensive experience in the recruitment, training and HR industry has given Jana the authority status in this field. As a result she is regularly invited to talk and lecture on career development and recruitment at various industry events, schools and tertiary institutions, whilst also being actively involved in the Food Industry associations.

Recently, Jana has decided to develop a Jobseeker’s Toolbox to assist candidates to secure their dream job faster and easier. She also offers coaching and consulting services in the area of job searching.Jana also adds massive value by advising her clients and candidates on current market salary levels, market intelligence and privacy and confidentiality while recruiting.

Jana has an innate awareness of the acute shortage of professionals in the industry and the inherent need to draw the public attention to it.Jana is qualified with a Master of Science in Agriculture, a Master of Business Administration, holds a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, and is also a certified NLP Trainer and a Results Coach. But most importantly she has a real passion for the industry and really loves what she does.

David is a graduate in Microbiology from Queensland University. David has worked for over 25 years in food quality control, food technology, and food safety, with companies such as Meadow Lea Foods, Symbio Laboratories, Harvest Freshcuts, Hans / Primo and Vesco foods.
David has presented talks for FIAQ and has assisted in co-ordination of many events over the past 10 years. David is currently Quality Assurance Manager at Total Food Network Australia.

Ken has recently retired after 43 years working in the Food Industry.

He completed his three Tertiary Qualifications by part time study while working in various positions within industry.

Ken is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology and has served as a National President and Treasurer.

He has held the positions of Chief Chemist, Senior Food Technologist, Quality Manager, Technical Manager and General Manager. He has worked has for Divisions of Goodman Fielder, Defiance Milling, Golden Circle and Earlee Products. He even worked for a time in Queensland Health.

Ken has had experience in many food sectors including fats oils and margarines, nuts and snack foods, baked goods, fruit and vegetable processing, baby foods, beverages (including fruit juices, soft drinks, cordials and bottled water), marinades, smallgoods and shelf stable meats, and food ingredients.

He has had the opportunity to see food manufacture from several perspectives including Quality Assurance, Product and Process Development, Technical Management and General Management.

Robert has a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Science from Central Queensland University and a Master’s degree in Food Microbiology from the University of New South Wales. He is a Professional Member of the Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology, and a member of the Australian Society for Microbiology. He has lectured in Food Quality Assurance at one of Australia’s leading Universities, and has delivered food safety training to industry for many years. Robert is also a registered Lead Food Safety Auditor.

Robert has in excess of twenty five years’ experience in food safety and quality, involving all of the main food commodities. He has worked for regulatory authorities, in export food inspection, and as a research scientist at the University of New South Wales.

In addition to his training activities Robert consults to the food and related industries on food safety and quality matters. He has consulted in major foodborne disease outbreaks, and has provided expert opinion to the legal profession and insurance industry where litigation has been involved, concerning food safety and quality incidents.

Meaghan had over 14 years’ experience globally with various suppliers, customers and retailers (including Tesco UK) from fish farming, technical and project management to executive management in the FMCG environment. She has a Masters of Applied Science (Living Marine Resources), 6 sigma green belt and various quality assurance qualifications and is currently undertaking Masters of Business Administration and Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.

Meaghan has recently started her own food consultancy business that focuses on problem-solving, continuous improvement, effectively utilisation of resources, adding value throughout the supply chain especially with waste streams and under-utilised or under-valued raw materials, improving product quality, and creating, implementing and successfully delivering project management plans to improve, grow and sustain for the future of the food industry.

Debbie commenced her recruitment career in 1995, she has worked for several national and local recruitment firms in both a hands on and management capacity supplying both temporary and permanent staff members in a wide range of industries including manufacturing, distribution, transport / logistics and food. Since 2012 she has been the Recruitment Co-ordinator at PATH4 Food, in January 2016 she also took on the Secretary / Treasurer role for with FIAQ.

Debbie prides herself on her strong organisational and project management skills and is passionate about the industry and actively pursues new ways to improve and strengthen our organisation and procedures. Sleep is not one of life’s necessities that interferes with her pragmatic approach to getting things done. It is quite common, much to the amazement of committee members for their phones to ‘ping’ before 5.00am As Debbie sends through FIAQ meeting minutes, updates and gentle reminders to members needing a nudge to complete actions to required time lines.

When Debbie isn’t organising the FIAQ realm, She will have her hands full getting her two beautiful primary school children to and from school, helping with their homework, organising sporting and other after school activities and coordinating the whole family. In the small amount of time she has for herself you might find her on the netball court where her normal and reserved nature becomes that of a fierce warrior playing for her team the Sweaty Betty’s. If she is really lucky she will have escaped yet another netball knee injury and might just be able to muster enough energy to take a “long walk” with her two beloved dogs on the beach.