Home
Search
thewest.com.au
CountrymanChevron Right Icon

Countryman Wool

Australian Wool Innovation chief executive officer John Roberts.

‘FAIR TREATMENT’ PremiumWoolgrowers urged to sign new petition

Australia’s wool industry leaders are calling for petition signatures to ensure fair treatment of natural fibres in upcoming European Union textile sustainability policies.

Melissa Pedelty

WoolProducers Australia chief executive Jo Hall called on Australian political parties this month to commit to implementing a new policy to increase wool use in government buildings.

government policyPremiumWool industry leader calls for Government to up wool use

A wool industry leader has said the Prime Minister would be “putting his money where his mouth is” should he emulate the New Zealand Government’s decision to increase wool use in government buildings.

Melissa Pedelty

The Australian and New Zealand trade delegation in Vietnam.

WOOL TRIPPremiumWool industry sets sights on Vietnam textile market

Australia’s wool industry has its sights firmly set on Vietnam as a new market, with a week-long trade delegation recently promoting the fibre’s versatility.

Cally Dupe

Skaters Rowan White and Zachary Tilghman. Ian Munro

‘We lose everything’PremiumFreo skaters fight to save world-renowned Wool Stores ledge

Skaters are fighting to save the ‘most important’ section of a world-famous skating ledge from being lost in the face of the long-awaited redevelopment of Fremantle’s historic Elders Wool Stores.

Caitlin Vinci

Broomehill shearer Damien Boyle added another open title to his run on the boards at the Williams Gateway Expo.

WILLIAMS GATEWAY EXPOPremiumWilliams Gateway Expo: Broomehill top gun takes open title

Broomehill top gun shearer Damien Boyle went one place better at the Williams Gateway Expo shearing competition, and in so doing, he won the open title that eluded him at Wagin Woolorama in March.

Bob Garnant

The French city of Lille will weave a perfect fit between past and present as the venue for the 94th International Wool Congress next month. 

WOOLLY GATHERINGPremiumInternational Wool Congress descends on France

The historic French town of Lille will weave a perfect fit between past and present as the venue for the 94th International Wool Congress next month. 

Cally Dupe

Southern Aurora Wool partner Mike Avery.

WOOLLY DISPUTEPremiumWool market as ‘broad as it is erratic’

Buyers’ appetite for Australian wool will be tested this week, with a smaller national offering and global currency volatility – thanks to Donald Trump - meaning prices could continue to rise.  

Cally Dupe

Homestead Road fashion label founder Bridgitte Brooks, centre, gathered with her friends Lizzy Brunette, of Chapman Valley, Nat Kilminster, of Bruce Rock, Aimee Carson, of Binnu, and Marika Yewers, of Mingenew, all wearing comfortable and functional woollen garments inspired for the lifestyle of rural women.

Homestead RoadPremiumYuna farmer Bridgitte Brooks launches wool fashion label

A fifth-generation wool producer in the Mid West has taken a leap of faith and started up her own luxury clothing brand after noticing a gap in the market.

Bob Garnant & Josephine Hingst

Bridgitte Clune, the found of Homestead Road

Homestead RoadPremiumYoung mum creates brand for real athletes of the world

A fifth-generation wool producer in the Mid West has taken a leap of faith and started up her own luxury clothing brand after noticing a gap in the market. 

Josephine Hingst

AWI WA industry relations officer Tennille Norrsh and AWI program manager of education and extension Kelly McAvoy with innovative woollen garments that were on display.

Merino industry updatesPremiumMerino breeders face challenges with industry support

The Australian Merino flock will continue to contract to an unpredicted level but lower supplies from last year’s record lamb turnoff will lift values in both sheep meat and wool

Bob Garnant

Honoured with Perth Mint gold coins for their years of volunteer service at the Perth Royal Show Merino section was Terry Ash, Anne Rintoul, Lee Ann Mullan, and Darrell McIllroy.

Stud breeders gatherPremiumStud Merino Breeders’ Association of WA celebrates

The Stud Merino Breeders’ Association of WA forum, held in conjunction with its annual meeting, brought a crowd of industry people to the new venue at the Aloft Hotel in Perth.

Bob Garnant

Stud Merino Breeders' Association of WA president Grantly Mullan with immediate former president Michael Campbell.

New role for Grantly MullanPremiumGrantly Mullan takes up stud Merino leadership

Wickepin Merino seedstock producer Grantly Mullan has taken up the role of Stud Merino Breeders’ Association of WA president after immediate former president Michael Campbell stepped down.

Bob Garnant

AWI’s study shows wool is superior to other fibres for its odour resistance.

WOOLLY GOOD RESULTPremiumIt’s official: Wearing wool saves you money

A new research study has hammered home the long-held beliefs that wool is more odour resistant and saves consumers money by needing less washing compared to synthetic fibres. 

Cally Dupe

Stud Merino Breeders' Association of WA president Michael Campbell.

Merino ForumPremiumMerino Forum weaves a stronger future together

The Stud Merino Breeders’ Association of WA has extended an open invitation to its Merino Forum on Friday, March 21, at the Aloft Hotel in Rivervale at 3pm.

Bob Garnant

Grantly Mullan, centre, of Eastville Park stud in Wickepin, was proud to exhibit his family's first Woolorama supreme exhibit in the Merino sheep section, and supported by the local glamorous models who were wearing Scanlan woollen designs featured at this year's Woolorama Fashion Show.

WAGIN WOOLORAMAPremiumWagin Woolorama: Swoolly by Scanlan fashion a big hit

It was a woolly great Wagin Woolorama with the woollen fashion brand Swoolly by Scanlan, based in O’Connor, dressing the fashion parade models with the glamour of natural fibre.

Bob Garnant

Boyup Brook top gun shearer Luke Harding celebrates his fifth open clean shear Woolorama title with his wife, Jess, who competed in the woolhandling.

WAGIN WOOLORAMAPremiumWagin Woolorama: Luke Harding wins fifth open shear title

Boyup Brook top gun shearer Luke Harding took out the open clean shearing competition at Wagin Woolorama, his fifth title at the iconic sheep and wool show.

Bob Garnant

Displaying the Wagin Woolorama Grand Champion Fleece, is Dudinin-based Kolindale stud co-principal Mathew Ledwith, Woolorama models Amy Ward, Emma Van-de-Velde, and Courtney Robinson, with Kolindale co-principal Luke Ledwith.

Wagin WooloramaPremiumWagin Woolorama: Kolindale wins Grand Champion Fleece

Wagin Woolorama showcased a brilliant line-up of Merino fleeces that were resilient to last year’s tough growing season.

Bob Garnant

WA Wool Harvesting Ambassadors Tristan White, Mikayla Reihana and Blake McFarlane.

Young gunPremiumYealering shearer hopes to share skills as Wool Ambassador

Yealering contract shearer Tristan White hopes to use his role as a Wool Harvesting Ambassador to encourage everyone to have “a good go” in the wool industry and to promote more training for shearers. 

Olivia Ford

Charlie McElhone will replace Mark Grave as the chief executive of Australian Wool Exchange when Mr Grave steps down in June.

LEADERSHIP SHUFFLEPremiumAustralian Wool Exchange appoints new chief executive

One of Dairy Australia’s long-standing bosses will take the reins at Australian Wool Exchange in June, replacing retiring chief executive Mark Grave after more than two decades. 

Cally Dupe and Bob Garnant

Mt Barker shearer Blake McFarlane is one of three WA Wool Harvesting Ambassadors.

Young gunPremiumYoung Wool Ambassador hopes to change the face of shearing

Hailing from a Mt Barker farm and growing up among livestock, Blake McFarlane has been in shearing sheds all his life. 

Olivia Ford

Mikayla Reihana is one of the three 2024-25 wool harvesting ambassadors at the Perth Royal Show.

YOUNG GUNSPremiumAmbassador hopes to bring more young blood to wool industry

For Boyup Brook wool handler Mikayla Reihana, being WA’s first female wool harvesting ambassador has granted her the chance to encourage everyone to seize a career in the wool industry. 

Olivia Ford

Alexia Philips set a new female shearing record at Darkan.

Female shearing recordPremiumAlexia Philips sets new female shearing world record

Alexia Phillips has broken the female world record for the most Merino ewes shorn in eight hours shearing 367 head at Spring Valley farm in Darkan on Saturday.

Bob Garnant

A Donate A Bale sale has raised $30,000 to support a campaign against the live sheep export ban.

Donate A Bale salePremiumDonate A Bale initiative raises $30,000 for Keep the Sheep

A Donate A Bale sale at the Western Wool Selling Centre has raised $30,000 for the Keep the Sheep campaign.

Bob Garnant

Henderson Shearing contractor Mike Henderson.

Live sheep export ban painPremiumShearing contractor feels pain from live sheep export ban

Dongara shearing contractor Mike Henderson, who is well known for his industry leadership, says the Albanese Government has “completely abandoned” Australia’s centuries-old Merino industry.

Bob Garnant