Night of superfine wool awards
Irene and Daryl Croake, Oak Hills, Mudgee, with their award for champion fleece at this year's Australian Superfine Wool Groers' Association conference in Armidale on Saturday, presented by Wayne McMahon, Australian Yarn Company.
Cameron, Tony and Janet Gall, Wilson's Creek, Uralla, were awarded best fleece in the New England, presented by Wayne McMahon, Australian Yarn Company.
Penny, Sophie and Russel Hartwich, Kelseldale, were presented with their fleece award for the Ararat and Barunal region, Vic, by Wayne McMahon.
Andrew and Stuart Drinnan, FibreFine Merinos, Malmsbury, Vic, were presented with their award for best fleece in the Albury district by Wayne McMahon.
Robyn and John Ive, Talaheni, Yass Valley, with their award for best fleece in the Goulburn district, presented by Wayne McMahon.
Janet Bell, Coodravale, Wee Jasper with Stuart Blake, Winterbourne, Walcha, at the ASWGA annual awards dinner at Armidale on Saturday night.
Allan Phillips, "Glen Stuart" accepting the best fleece award for Tasmania on behalf of himself and his wife Carolyn, from Wayne McMahon, Australian Yarn Company.
Ron Rayner, "Glena" Gulgong with Paul Swan, Sydney.
Lesley and Roger Prior, South Devon, England, with Mel Goodman, Schute Bell Inverell and Greg Andrews, Schute Bell Sydney.
Fiona Macarthur, AWI, Guyra, with Irene Croake, "Oak Hills" Pyramul.
Angie and David Waters, "Tarrangower" Hillgrove.
Murray and Nella Price, Glen Maye Partnerships, Mudgee.
John and Karen Croake, AWI Tamworth with Peter Morgan, ASWGA Melbourne.
Noel Henderson, Avington Merinos, Sidonia, Vic with Helen Cathles, "Cooredigbee" Wee Jasper and Robin Ive, "Talakeri" Yass Valley.
Charlie Toll, GSchneider, Sydney with Wayne McMahon, Australian Yarn Company, Bendigo.
Troy Pearson and Kevin Xing, Natsun Australia - the newest member of ASWGA.
Jennifer Carlon, "Queenlee" Uralla with Adam Edwards, "Lochiel" Uralla.
Sally and John Rowe, retiring Chief Executive Officer Sheep CRC at the ASWGA awards night at Armidale.
Leaders of the superfine Merino wool industry gathered in Armidale last weekend for education and celebration, with the best fleece awards for all districts of the country handed out during a gala dinner held at the historic Booloominbah House, on the campus of the University of New England.
Growers heard from industry representatives about the challenges facing supply and demand of Merino fibre, and there was a call for greater unity from within the luxury brand that is Australian superfine wool.
At the end of the day producers were encouraged to tell their story - one of good management and sustainability.
While markets were back, buyer Andrew Blanch, New England Wool, said the hiccup was due to a few reasons, not the least being that European mills have enough in stock after buying twice as much last year. Quality is low, given the season, along with supply. Still, fashion houses have trouble filling superfine orders.
"I can't see the market coming off too much," he said.
