Wakool farmer and Deniliquin business owner Hayley Pattison is among three female apprentice butchers vying for the title of the Australian Meat Industry Council’s (AMIC) 2025 Apprentice of the Year.

They will compete against 11 other Certificate III in Meat Processing (Retail Butcher) students competing this Thursday at TAFE NSW Granville.

It will be a high-pressure, MasterChef-style showdown, with Mrs Pattison and her fellow students to be tested across three key challenges:

• A theory exam to assess industry knowledge.

• Practical butchery skills, including breaking down a lamb, processing pork and beef cuts, and utilising a whole chicken.

• A mystery box challenge where they’ll create value-added meat products featuring a surprise ingredient revealed on the day.

Mrs Pattison is a fourth-generation farmer and currently studying a Certificate III in Meat Processing (Retail Butcher) through TAFE NSW Wollongong West.

As co-owner of Pattison Pastoral, she and her husband operate a full paddock-to-plate business, raising Hereford and Angus cattle, managing a stud and a retail butchery business.

Now, she’s putting her skills to the test by competing in the AMIC competition.

“I started studying at TAFE NSW to gain the hands-on skills to better integrate butchery into our farming business and use these skills to work with employees and future apprentices,” Mrs Pattison said.

“It’s been an incredible learning experience. My teachers have been very supportive, and it’s great to now be competing thanks to an opportunity my teacher encouraged me to pursue.”

TAFE NSW relieving head teacher meat and allied trades, Martin Paynter, said having three females in the competition demonstrates the industry is shifting from a traditionally male-dominated workforce.

“We’ve seen an increase in female students studying a Certificate III in Meat Processing (Retail Butcher) at TAFE NSW Granville.

“Industry is evolving from a male-dominated trade into a more diverse workforce, with roles emerging for butchers, counter hands, chefs, and marketing staff.

“Opportunities span full-time and part-time positions, attracting mums and female students and school leavers.”

A panel of three industry experts will judge the apprentices on skill, technique, and creativity at the 2025 AMIC Apprentice of the Year.

The winner will be announced at a gala on September 27 at the Crowne Plaza Sydney, celebrating excellence across the meat industry — from emerging talent to seasoned professionals.

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Wednesday, 11th February 2026

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