WIDELY respected Victorian red meat processor George Gilbertson has passed away.

George Gilbertson

As part of the Gilbertson family which left an indelible mark on Australian red meat processing over a period of more than a century, he was chairman and managing director of RJ Gilbertson Pty Ltd, one of the largest beef and sheepmeat processors in Australia at the time. At one point the company had processing operations stretching from Cannon Hill in Queensland, through to Tasmania, plus extensive operations in Victoria and NSW.

Mr Gilbertson spent more than 20 years as a prominent contributor to industry affairs, serving as the inaugural chairman of the Australian Meat Council from 1994. He was elected chairman of the Australian Meat Export Federal Council the same year.

The family’s shares in the RJ Gilbertson meat business were sold to Sumikin Bussan in 1996, later to become SBA Foods. Mr Gilbertson spent his later years primarily in property development.

Beef Central will prepare a more comprehensive tribute to Mr Gilbertson in an article to follow.