One hundred and five Superfine woolgrowers, sponsors and guests converged on Hamilton over the May 13-14 weekend for the sixth annual Australian Superfine Wool Growers Association (ASWGA) reunion dinner.
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Visitors from four Australian states were joined by Merino breeders from England, Lesley and Roger Prior, who are importing genetic material from Australia for the UK’s only pure Merino flock.
The dinner’s highlight was the Cleckheaton Trophy for the ASWGA Grand Champion Superfine Fleece, presented to winners Ed and Jill Hundy of ‘Windradeen’.
Association president Simon Cameron presented an honorary life membership to Kevin Dunn, a founding member for 46 years, including as president.
Association honorary life member Mike Kuritani, who works for Itochu Corporation in Japan, spoke about the Hamilton lamb’s wool brand his company has developed. He also spoke about the damage skin pieces left in wool can do to the finished garment. He said growers needed to be vigilant in all areas with their clip preparation to gain the highest returns.
Prior to the dinner, the Mibus Family opened their Glenara Stud for a display of high class rams and superfine wool. Lunch was at Sierra Park, where pure Saxon Stud sheep were on display. Before returning to Hamilton, a stop-off at Pierrepoint Winery set the mood for the night ahead with the purchase of local product.
Andrew Worthington of Australia Merino Exports was a guest speaker at Kelseldale Stud on the Sunday. A Country Road garment with traceable certificates to Tasmania, where the wool is sourced, was displayed. High class stud Merinos were also on display, along with superfine and ultrafine wools.
Winners 2016/17
- Jill and Ed Hundy, ‘Windradeen’ of Adaminaby, Grand Champion Fleece, 1st place - Class 90s and finer (1st place, Mudgee region)
- Penny and Russell Hartwich, ‘Kelseldale’ of Ballyrogan, 1st place Class 80s and 74s (1st place, Ararat/Barunah region)
- Lesleann and Mark Waters, ‘Riverton’ of Armidale, 1st place Class 70s (1st place, New England region)
- Margaret and Ian Humphry ’Avondale’ of Springhurst (1st place, Albury/Wodonga region)
- Megan and Danny Picker, ‘Hillcreston Park’ of Bigga, 1st place Class 80s (1st place, Goulburn/Yass region)
- Kathy and Trevor Mibus, ‘Glenara Merinos’ of Dunkeld (1st place, Hamilton region)
- Carol and Allan Phillips, ‘Glen Stuart’ of Deddington (1st place, Tasmanian region)
- Faye and James Pepper, ‘Mumballview’ of Mumballup (1st place, West Australian region)