Skip to main content

Your internet browser is out of date and not supported by this website. For the best viewing experience on wool.com, please update your browser to one of the options below.

AWEX EMI 1184 -8
Micron 17 1648 -30
Micron 18 1533 -4
Micron 19 1455 +1
Micron 20 1428 -8
Micron 21 1417 -16
Micron 22 1410n -22
Micron 25 700 -12
Micron 26 605 -3
Micron 28 410 -5
Micron 30 378 -2
Micron 32 327 -10
Micron 16.5 1750 -30
MCar 724 -10

Breeding Leadership course reflects a buoyant industry, bright future for wool

This week 23 future wool industry leaders are participating in the Breeding Leadership course. This biennial, week-long program, funded by Australian Wool Innovation (AWI), is designed to improve the leadership skills of young people already in the wool industry.

Breeding Leadership participants for 2018, images for individual participants also available on request.

This week 23 future wool industry leaders are participating in the Breeding Leadership course. This biennial, week-long program, funded by Australian Wool Innovation (AWI), is designed to improve the leadership skills of young people already in the wool industry.

Delivered in Clare, South Australia, by consultancy firm Rural Directions, Breeding Leadership covers personal leadership skills as well as strategic planning and team leadership. The program also includes an industry tour of Michell Wool and Anlaby Station as well as local farm tours and guest speakers.

Helping develop the next wool leaders is a significant focus at AWI, just as it is important to develop the next wool textile experts, wool fashion designers and of course, wool consumers. While young students get introduced to wool through Learn About Wool kits and the Wool4School competition, the next generation of woolgrowers, shearers, brokers and geneticists learn skills through the National Merino Challenge and, in-time, Breeding Leadership.

AWI CEO, Stuart McCullough said "it was great to meet these young people and speak with a room filled with optimism and hope and gained some great insights into their vision for the future of wool". Mr McCullough delivered a session sharing the AWI strategic direction and insights into current and planned projects.

Since its inception, Breeding Leadership has put more than 150 young people through the course; many of them, such as current WoolPoll Chairman Syd Lawrie, hold leading roles in the wool industry today.

Anna Cotton of Swansea in Tasmania undertook Breeding Leadership in 2016 and said, "I loved every minute of Breeding Leadership - not only the content but the connections made". Anthony Yeo, from Canowindra in NSW, said "I have lots to take away and work with my team on including better communication". Anna and Anthony were present at the 2018 session to share with the group their learnings and journey since they attended Breeding Leadership in 2016.

Participants have been selected from throughout the wool industry. Participants backgrounds range from on-farm to education and wool marketing.

2018 Breeding Leadership participants:

New South Wales:
Alexandra Cesnik, Gumly Gumly
Jayde Cluff, Deniliquin
Roy Elliott, Eumungerie
Jock Fisher, Gulargambone
Ross Fletcher, Walcha
Ally Jaffrey, Crookwell
Henry Ridge, Sydney
Mark Scott, Sydney

South Australia:
Angus Ashby, Gulnare
Chelsea Dahlenburg, Naracoorte
Angus Halliday, Bordertown
Royce Pitchford, Clare
William Sandow, Watervale 
Western Australia:
Stephen Chappell, Lake Grace
Daniel Dempster, Goomalling
Kyle Gumprich, Narrogin
Justin Haydock, Narrogin
Alex House, Claremont
Carl Storer, Cunderdin

Queensland:
Benn Wilson, Dirranbandi

Tasmania:
John Chester, Campbell Town

Victoria:
Sam Crawford, Dunkeld
Oliver Vidor, Derrinallum

 

Contact details of participants can be provided for interview purposes.

Articles That Might Interest You

Best practice preparation for shearing
Preparing your flock properly will help ensure a successful harvesting of your sheep’s wool. AWI has prepared some advice for woolgrowers to consider prior to shearing. Read more
Sheep Yards
Sheep yards are at the heart of a sheep handling system, and require thought and care in their design and construction. Read more
Woolgrowers & COVID-19
As COVID-19 spreads throughout Australia, woolgrowers should be proactive and put plans in place to ensure that their farming operations, staff and contractors, family and friends are as protected as possible. Read more