INFLUENTIAL young brokers from NSW and Victoria have been announced as finalist for the 2017 Wool Broker of the Year Award.
Landmark, Bendigo wool account manager Candice Cordy, Australian Wool Network wool and sheep specialist Russell Macgugan, Western District, Victoria, and Elders district wool manager Brett Smith, Walgett, NSW are in the running for the industry’s top title as best broker.
Sponsored by Fairfax Agricultural Media and Australian Wool Testing Authority, finalist will battle it out to win an all-expense paid trip to Hong Kong to attend the International Wool Textile Organisation's 2018 Congress in May 2018.
Ms Cordy started with Landmark eight years ago where she began her career in livestock sales support before moving into Bendigo district wool account manager.
She currently holds the position of convenor of the Australian Fleece Competition, where she facilitates the promotion of the event, including the testing and presentation of up to 500 fleeces entered in the competition.
Mr Macgugan began his career with AWN in 2013, after working six years as a livestock agent and auctioneer.
He grew up in the Dunkeld region on a sheep property, with clients spanning across the Western District.
Mr Macgugan is currently coordinating a Western District brand label for AWN’s MerinoSnug garments, sourcing wool directly from farms as part of the firm’s Direct Network Advantage (DNA) program.
Finalist Mr Smith joined the Elders North West NSW and Southern Queensland team in 2015, covering clients in Walgett, Coonamble, Dirranbandi and St George.
He comes from a third generation woolgrowing family and has facilitated workshops for Lifetime Ewe Management, BredWell FedWell and More Lambs More Often.
Among many positions, Mr Smith is AgForce sheep and wool board treasurer and biosecurity chairperson.
The finalists will present at the NCWSBA Annual General Meeting and Forum on 24 August 2017, in Melbourne.
The annual Wool Broker Award, which recognises excellence in wool broking by a younger member of the Australian wool broking industry, will be then be decided by the selection panel and presented for the sixth time at the Australian Wool Week dinner on 24 August at Aerial in Melbourne.