HIGH PERFORMANCE MERINO JACKET - ISSUE 77 DECEMBER 2018 - Australian Wool ...

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HIGH PERFORMANCE MERINO JACKET - ISSUE 77 DECEMBER 2018 - Australian Wool ...
ISSUE 77 DECEMBER 2018
                                        PROFIT FROM WOOL INNOVATION
                                                       www.wool.com

HIGH PERFORMANCE
MERINO JACKET

          32                     40                           54
 POLICE CHIEFS   WEATHERING DROUGHT            NUMNUTS NUMBS
   TARGETTED     WITH REGENERATIVE AG         NUTS (AND TAILS)!
HIGH PERFORMANCE MERINO JACKET - ISSUE 77 DECEMBER 2018 - Australian Wool ...
22 A
                                                                  FL’S TOM HAWKINS                               66 T
                                                                                                                      RAINING FOR SHEARERS
                                                                   AT HOME WITH WOOL                                     AND WOOL HANDLERS

EDITOR
Richard Smith
E richard.smith@wool.com
                                                    OFF-FARM                                             ON-FARM
CONTRIBUTING WRITER                                  4    Getting on with business                        38 AWI Graduate Training Program
Lisa Griplas
E lisa.griplas@wool.com                              5    AWI 2018 AGM                                    40 Weathering drought with regenerative ag
                                                     6    Live & breathe campaign                         43 Grower innovations during drought
Australian Wool Innovation Limited
A L6, 68 Harrington St, The Rocks,                  8    Elite athletes put wool to the test             43 Drought resources
   Sydney NSW 2000
                                                     9    Woolmark Optim WR jacket                        44 Banking on Merinos
   GPO Box 4177, Sydney NSW 2001
P 02 8295 3100                                       10 PE Nation runs with wool                          46 Wild dog coordinators
E info@wool.com W wool.com
AWI Helpline 1800 070 099                            11 Across Mongolia with Merino                       47 Community-wide wild dog control

SUBSCRIPTION                                         12 Woolmark Performance Challenge                    48 Collaboration combatting invasives
Beyond the Bale is available free.                   14 Aussie wool receives eco award                    49 Metabolic disorders
To subscribe contact AWI
P 02 8295 3100 E info@wool.com                       16 Yarns from Millpost Merino                        50 Drought: what happens to worms?
                                                     17 Grower spotlight                                  52 Tell us your parasite management
Beyond the Bale is published by Australian
Wool Innovation Ltd (AWI), a company                 18 Young designers at Sheepvention                   53 Breech flystrike publications
funded by Australian woolgrowers and the
Australian Government. AWI’s goal is to help
                                                     18 Strateas Carlucci continue with wool              54 Numnuts numbs nuts (and tails)!
increase the demand for wool by actively             19 IWP winner visits Australia                       56 Merino Sire Evaluation explained
selling Australian wool and its attributes
through investments in marketing, innovation         20 Tom Hawkins with Rodd & Gunn                      58 Sire Evaluation made easy
and R&D – from farm to fashion and interiors.        21 Farage gets airborne                              59 Merino Bloodlines Performance
COPYRIGHT                                            22 Campaign for Wool UK                              60 R&D into profit per hectare
Material in Beyond the Bale is copyright.            24 China’s New World Wool                            61 Improving resilience in Merinos
Reproduction of the material is encouraged.
However prior permission must be obtained            25 Nanshan Wool Supremacy Trophy                     62 Sexed semen via AI
from the Editor.
                                                     26 Phillip Lim’s Merino Series                       63 World’s oldest semen
DISCLAIMER                                           26 Tim Coppens’ Merino sports-luxe                   64 Winning with Weaners
To the extent permitted by law, Australian
Wool Innovation Ltd excludes all liability           27 Bergdorf Goodman in NYC                           65 RAMping Up Repro
for loss or damage arising from the use of,
or reliance on, the information contained in
                                                     28 Paris wool promotion                              66 Silverleaf nightshade
this publication.                                    28 Jacquemus’ Mediterranean vibes                    67 Semi-robotic shearing
The Woolmark symbol is a certification mark
registered in many countries.                        29 Zadig & Voltaire’s joie de vivre                  68 Shearer training at Tambo
© 2018 Australian Wool Innovation Ltd. All
                                                     29 KOCHÉ’s new collection                            70 Competitions promote excellence
rights reserved.
                                                     30 Tokyo’s Vogue Fashion’s Night Out                 71 Woolmark Bale Stencil
ADVERTISING SALES
Steve Luxford, Pulse Hub Pty Ltd                     31 Merino gets edgy in Japan                         72 Young judges championships
P 0429 699 553                                       32 Police Chiefs targeted with wool                  73 Nuffield studies to boost Aussie flock
E steve.luxford@pulsehub.com.au
Advertising is subject to terms and conditions       33 Running with wool shoes                           74 EMI’s strong performance continues
published on the ratecard, which is available
from Pulse Hub.
                                                     34 Education highlights                              75 WoolQ
                                                     36 Gieves & Hawkes By Royal Appointment              76 What’s the impact of forex?
ISSN
1447-9680                                            37 Royal visit’s wool connections                    77 Markets in need of stability
FRONT COVER                                                                                               78 Readers’ photos
Pictured is the new range of Woolmark Optim
WR jackets. The 100% Merino wool fabric used                                                             AWI INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
in the jacket is water and wind resistant; the       		   feedback@wool.com
fabric has been commercially launched and is                                                                 Marketing         Sheep               Woolgrower
being used in both the fashion and outdoor                                                                                     Production          Services
markets. The Woolmark Optim WR jacket has           WOOL.COM                                                 Processing Innovation          Business
been produced exclusively to enable wool levy                                                                & Education Extension          Services
                                                    To subscribe to the free monthly AWI e-newsletter
payers to experience the benefits of Merino wool
                                                    for woolgrowers, and the weekly wool market review
in an innovative way – see page 9 to find out how
                                                    e-newsletter, visit www.wool.com/subscribe
you can purchase it.
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                                                                                                              youtube.com/TheWoolmarkCompany

                                                          This magazine is printed on PEFC
                                                          (Programme for the Endorsement of                   View Beyond the Bale online with image galleries
                                                                                                         BtB and video at http://beyondthebale.wool.com
                                                          Forest Certification) paper stock.

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HIGH PERFORMANCE MERINO JACKET - ISSUE 77 DECEMBER 2018 - Australian Wool ...
UPFRONT      3

A LETTER FROM
THE NEW AWI
CHAIRMAN
MS COLETTE GARNSEY OAM
                                                                                                             Colette Garnsey OAM
                                                                                                             Chairman
                                                                                                             Australian Wool Innovation

M    y name is Colette Garnsey, and I have      the appropriate levy rate to be paying on     We understand the drought conditions
     recently been appointed as the new         their wool sales at this time. However, we    are affecting much of the industry and we
Chairman of AWI. I would like to take           are encouraged – indeed humbled – that        acknowledge this will affect production
this opportunity to provide you with an         more than 90 per cent of woolgrowers see      going forward. Let me reassure you there is
update on the changes under way at AWI to       the value in AWI’s work and are prepared      no more important time for a strong AWI
strengthen your company by ensuring you,        to contribute towards our research,           working to support woolgrowers.
our woolgrowers, are at the forefront of        development and marketing efforts on
                                                                                              Our industry has a positive and
everything we do.                               your behalf.
                                                                                              prosperous future. As your Chairman,
Firstly, let me thank and acknowledge           The 1.5 per cent levy vote does not change    I look forward to continuing to support
the immediate past Chairman Mr                  AWI’s resolve to working in the best          woolgrowers here in Australia and
Walter Merriman for his leadership and          interests of woolgrowers. We have the         to taking their wool to the world
contribution to the industry. Mr Merriman’s     reserves to manage the balance sheet          by continuing to build demand and
vision for the industry was pivotal in          and our operations will be managed to match   positioning our beautiful fibre as the
increasing the global demand and market         our funding. As woolgrowers adjust to the     natural fibre of choice for processors,
access for Australian wool.                     seasonal conditions, so will AWI adapt to     retailers and consumers around the globe.
                                                the democratic choice of our levy payers.
I step into the role of Chairman knowing        In doing this, we will make certain our
the global demand for wool is stronger than     operations continue to be transparent, lean
ever, with our nation’s natural fibre desired   and efficient.
by processors, retailers and customers
in all parts of the globe. This gives me
a great sense of pride as I represent
domestic woolgrowers to our international
processors and retail brand partners.
                                                      MS COLETTE GARNSEY OAM,
My commitment to AWI’s goal is                        AWI CHAIRMAN
unwavering. I am committed to listening
and to ensuring your views are heard at               Ms Garnsey was elected by AWI shareholders to the AWI Board on 8
Board level. As AWI enters a new phase,               November 2011 and has been Deputy Chair since 2017. She was appointed
my and the Board’s focus is on addressing             as Chairman of the AWI Board on 9 November 2018 following Mr
your concerns, on doing the right thing               Merriman’s resignation as Chairman.
by you, our levy payers, and on building a            Ms Garnsey – whose early childhood was spent on sheep properties in
stronger company for the benefit of the               western NSW – has 39 years of retail, wholesale, distribution and marketing
wool industry.                                        experience with Australia’s top brands in multiple geographies. Currently
                                                      she is Non Executive Director of Flight Centre Travel Group and until
As a priority, we will do this by responding
                                                      recently was a Trade, Tourism and Investment Policy Advisory Council
to, and actioning, the 82 recommendations
                                                      advisor to the Federal Government.
of the Review of Performance
commissioned by the Federal Government                Previously Ms Garnsey was executive director at Premier Investments’s The
and to working through the changes                    Just Group, and in senior executive positions at David Jones and Pacific
required. The Board and the executive team            Brands. She has had over 30 years’ experience in department stores and
are committed to making these changes                 has dealt with globally successful brands and designers bringing many to
a reality.                                            Australia.
Prior to AWI’s AGM we announced the                   Ms Garnsey has also been Advisory Board member of CSIRO 1997-2001;
results of WoolPoll 2018; Australian                  Advisory Board member Australian Government Innovation Council 2010-
woolgrowers have voted in favour of a                 2012; Director Australian Fashion Week 1998-2009; Judge Veuve Clicquot
wool levy of 1.5 per cent. We respect our             Business Women of the Year 2008-2014.
woolgrowers’ decision of 1.5 per cent and
see that they believe a 1.5 per cent levy is
HIGH PERFORMANCE MERINO JACKET - ISSUE 77 DECEMBER 2018 - Australian Wool ...
4     UPFRONT

    GETTING ON WITH
BUSINESS
    We are continuing with initiatives to help increase the
    demand for wool through investments in marketing
                                                                                                                        Stuart McCullough
    and R&D – from farm to fashion.                                                                                     Chief Executive Officer
                                                                                                                        Australian Wool Innovation

    WOOLPOLL 2018                                      via their right to vote at the company’s
                                                       Annual General Meetings and Extraordinary
                                                                                                         on a 24/7 basis as well as an efficient, easy
                                                                                                         to use online auction operating outside the
    Australian woolgrowers have voted in favour        General Meetings. AWI has more than               Open Cry market hours. With extensive
    of a wool levy of 1.5% on wool sales to fund                                                         benefits for buyers, brokers and growers, the
                                                       22,000 shareholders. It’s important to note
    research, development and marketing. Of                                                              WoolQ Market will serve as a complement
                                                       that paying wool levies does not automatically
    the 13,506 votes received, following the                                                             to the current Open Cry auction markets.
                                                       make a levy payer a shareholder of AWI. To
    allocation of three rounds of preferences,                                                           A pilot of the WoolQ Market will commence
                                                       become a shareholder, a levy payer must apply
    52.82% voted in favour of a 1.5% wool levy.                                                          at the end of the year, with full roll out
                                                       (which is free). I encourage all eligible wool
    On first preferences, 88.28% of woolgrowers                                                          anticipated early in 2019. To use WoolQ’s
                                                       levy payers, who have not already become an
    had voted for a levy option of either 1.5% or                                                        current functionality and to ensure you are
                                                       AWI shareholder, to apply. To be eligible to
    2%, demonstrating continued support for                                                              kept informed of the further developments,
                                                       become an AWI shareholder, applicants must
    AWI’s role investing in R&D and marketing on
                                                       have paid at least $100 in wool levies in the     ensure you register at www.woolq.com.
    behalf of woolgrowers.
                                                       past three years.
    AWI will continue to be prudent in managing                                                          HIGH PERFORMANCE
    its balance sheet and will adjust its operations   To become an AWI shareholder, levy-               JACKET: OFFER FOR
                                                       paying woolgrowers should complete the
    to match available funding as part of
                                                       shareholder application form at www.wool.
                                                                                                         WOOLGROWERS
    the next three-year strategic plan, which
                                                       com/shareholders and return it to the AWI         Using the latest OptimTM technology,
    commences in 2019-20. The company will
                                                       share registry at Link Market Services.           Merino wool is able to be woven into
    endeavour to ensure no loss of momentum
                                                       Enquiries should be directed to Link Market       an immensely dense fabric that is more
    in the marketing of wool in Australia and
                                                                                                         resistant to water and wind, while retaining
    overseas – and will continue its targeted          Services on 1800 113 373 (free call).
                                                                                                         all of Merino wool’s fine properties, such as
    investment across sheep health and welfare,
                                                                                                         breathability. The 100% Australian Merino
    reproduction, vertebrate pests, genetics, fibre    REVIEW OF                                         wool fabric was commercially launched a
    advocacy, farm automation and software             PERFORMANCE                                       few years ago and is now being used in both
    development.                                       IMPLEMENTATION                                    the fashion and outdoor markets. To enable
    I thank the WoolPoll Panel and its Chairman        PORTAL                                            wool levy payers to experience the benefits
    Sydney Lawrie for their contribution and for       In October, AWI detailed its Review of            of Merino wool in this innovative way, at cost
    encouraging participation and ensuring the         Performance (ROP) implementation plan for         price, we have produced an exclusive jacket
    voting process was conducted in compliance         all 82 recommendations in the independent         – the Woolmark Optim WR jacket – that is
    with the regulations.                              ROP. The implementation plan specifies            now available for purchase online at www.
                                                       how the organisation will address all 82          wool.com/store. This is similar to the popular
    AWI ANNUAL                                         recommendations included in the ROP. To           jacket that we made available to woolgrowers
    GENERAL MEETING                                    aid transparency and information flow with
                                                                                                         two years ago.
                                                       woolgrowers and industry, AWI has launched
    AWI held its 2018 AGM on Friday 23 November
    in Sydney – see opposite page. At the AGM,         a Review of Performance Implementation            POSITIVE PRICES
    I gave a detailed presentation of the activities   Portal (ROPIP) that reports on our progress       DURING 2018
    of the company during 2017/18. Woolgrowers         implementing the 82 recommendations. The          As 2018 draws to a close, we can reflect on
    who were unable to attend the AGM in person        ROPIP is available on the AWI website at          another very positive year for woolgrowers.
    were able to view the AGM proceedings via          http://rop.wool.com                               Due to improved demand, the EMI has been
    webcast. This was the seventh time that                                                              very healthy for the entire year, especially
    AWI has webcast its AGM. As well as being          REGISTER NOW                                      the second half – with the EMI reaching
    broadcast live, a recording of the webcast of      FOR WOOLQ                                         above the $20 mark for the very first time.
    the 2018 AGM is available to be viewed on the                                                        This consistently high EMI has been very
                                                       The final piece of WoolQ functionality, WoolQ
    AWI website at www.wool.com/2018agm                                                                  rewarding to watch during the year and, more
                                                       Market, will soon be released, completing the
                                                                                                         importantly, very rewarding financially for
                                                       suite of tools on the platform. The WoolQ
    BECOME AN AWI                                      Market aims to be a centralised, online
                                                                                                         many woolgrowers.
    SHAREHOLDER                                        marketplace for Australian wool. The two-         We hope that 2019 continues on this positive
    AWI shareholders are able to shape the             tiered platform will provide both a bulletin      note. And with this in mind, I wish you a very
    decision making process of the company,            board of buying and selling interest accessible   happy Christmas and prosperous New Year.
HIGH PERFORMANCE MERINO JACKET - ISSUE 77 DECEMBER 2018 - Australian Wool ...
UPFRONT         5

                                                                                                   “I am delighted that in 2017-18 growers were
                                                                                                   able to reap the benefits of an increase in the
                                                                                                   average EMI of 23% from the previous year,”
                                                                                                   Mr McCullough said.

                                                                                                   “We recognise the drought conditions
                                                                                                   facing many woolgrowers, and we are
                                                                                                   committed to investing your levies
                                                                                                   effectively and efficiently to deliver results
                                                                                                   for all woolgrowers.

                                                                                                   “Investment in research and development,
                                                                                                   and extension by AWI in its Sheep Production
                                                                                                   and Woolgrower Services portfolios, increased
                                                                                                   by 27% last year, delivering a range of
                                                                                                   outputs to help woolgrowers improve their
                                                                                                   on-farm productivity and profitability. This
                                                            AWI Chairman Colette Garnsey OAM       includes ongoing investment in Lifetime Ewe
                                                      addressing the AWI 2018 AGM in November.     Management training, which has resulted
                                                                                                   in more than 4,300 growers undertaking the
                                                                                                   hands-on course.

NEW ERA BEGINS AT AWI                                                                              “In the off-farm R&D area, we have added
                                                                                                   to the growing number of research findings
                                                                                                   supporting the health and wellbeing benefits
At the 2018 AWI Annual General Meeting (AGM) on                                                    of wool products. And we are working with
23 November, newly appointed AWI chairman Colette                                                  leading brands such as adidas and Max Mara
                                                                                                   in new product developments.
Garnsey signalled a new era for the peak wool industry
body, telling AWI shareholders the company is committed                                            “Our Marketing portfolio has continued
                                                                                                   to partner with premium brands and
to greater engagement with Australian woolgrowers.
                                                                                                   strategically invest in targeted campaigns –
                                                                                                   through both digital and traditional channels
                                                                                                   – to help create demand for Australian wool

N    ew AWI chairman Ms Colette Garnsey
     used her speech at last month’s AWI AGM
to signal that it was a time of change at AWI.
                                                  Turning to the results of WoolPoll 2018,
                                                  Ms Garnsey said AWI was encouraged
                                                  and humbled that the vast majority of
                                                                                                   amongst consumers in key markets globally.

                                                                                                   “The sports, outdoor and athleisure
                                                  woolgrowers saw the value in AWI’s work          markets are especially exciting markets that
“Our priority is to be a company that is          and were prepared to contribute towards the      are helping drive up demand for Merino
engaged with all of its stakeholders –            company’s R&D and marketing efforts on           wool. We have been increasing collaboration
woolgrowers and shareholders, of course, but      their behalf.                                    with leading manufacturers and brands in
also the Government, farmers’ groups, the                                                          these sectors to promote the premium natural
media, our supporters and, yes, those who         “But do not doubt for a minute that we           benefits of wool as a performance fibre.”
hold a more critical view of our performance,”    have not heard the message that we must
Ms Garnsey told the meeting.                      do more to earn and retain the trust and         Mr McCullough reiterated the comments
                                                  confidence of our shareholders,” Ms Garnsey      of AWI’s Chairman, reaffirming the
“All have a stake in the future of the company,   told shareholders.                               company’s commitment to consultation
all want the very best for the wool industry –                                                     with growers and to continuing to
and all deserve a say and to be heard.”           “We are determined to maintain the               be transparent, lean and efficient in
                                                  momentum in our international marketing          their operations.
Ms Garnsey told the meeting one of AWI’s
                                                  efforts and in our investments in R&D.
highest priorities is responding to, and                                                           “AWI is acutely aware of its direct
actioning, the 82 recommendations from the        “We must give you the confidence that your       accountability to woolgrowers. We are
Review of Performance commissioned by the         levies are being invested effectively and        committed to listening to woolgrowers, to
Federal Government.                               efficiently. AWI must continue to run lean,      hearing and actioning their feedback and
                                                  with every dollar spent wisely and every         to working together to build a stronger
“We are already 33% of the way through the
                                                  dollar accounted for.                            industry for everyone in the supply chain,”
implementation process,” she said.
                                                                                                   Mr McCullough outlined.
                                                  “All stakeholders can expect to see and hear
“For example, since the Review, we have
                                                  more from me and my AWI colleagues as            “We will continue to work hard to build
introduced a board skills matrix in the 2018
                                                  we seek to unite the wool industry behind a      resilience into our research, development
Annual Report that will help ensure we
                                                  common goal: to help woolgrowers be their best   and marketing investments. AWI will
have the right mix of skills and experience
                                                  and get the best returns for their hard work.    continue to work hard to put the interests of
on our board. And we have appointed a
                                                                                                   woolgrowers first.”
general manager of operations – a new role        “Consultation, of course, is pointless without
that will allow our CEO to focus on more          transparency and I want an AWI that is           AWI shareholders who were unable to
strategic activities.                             open and accountable and today is a step in      attend the AGM in person were able to
                                                  that process.”                                   view the AGM proceedings via webcast.
“Of the 82 recommendations in the Report,                                                          As well as being broadcast live, a recording
there are 75 which we have accepted and
actioned. Of the remaining ones, there
                                                  CEO HIGHLIGHTS                                   of the webcast of the 2018 AGM is available

are two that are the subject of continued         A STRONG YEAR                                    to be viewed on the AWI website at
                                                                                                   www.wool.com/2018agm
negotiations with the Department. There are       In his address to shareholders, AWI CEO
also five we expect to put to shareholders at a   Mr Stuart McCullough pointed to the                                    MORE INFORMATION
general meeting in mid-March after a period       record highs hit by wool prices in the                           View a recording of the AGM
of consultation.”                                 recent months.                                                   at www.wool.com/2018agm
HIGH PERFORMANCE MERINO JACKET - ISSUE 77 DECEMBER 2018 - Australian Wool ...
6     OFF
      FARM

    LIVE & BREATHE CAMPAIGN
             AWI’s Live & Breathe campaign set out to educate a new generation of consumers
                   about the technical performance benefits of Australian Merino wool.
                  In addition to the rollout of the short campaign film, AWI also ran an outdoor
                 advertising campaign and partnered with leading media and influencers across
                                         the world to promote Merino wool.

I    n September, AWI’s marketing subsidiary
     The Woolmark Company unveiled its first
    direct consumer marketing campaign in
                                                  the most engaged market, with San Francisco
                                                  the most engaged city followed closely by
                                                                                                  OUTDOOR
                                                                                                  ADVERTISING
                                                  New York City. The film won a prestigious
    nearly 10 years, championing the technical    gold award at the World Luxury Awards held      There were more than 325 instances of
    benefits of Merino wool. The overarching      in Monaco.                                      outdoor advertising across the world. In the
    message of the campaign is that wool is                                                       USA, billboards and bus stop adverts were
    breathable, making it the perfect fibre for                                                   focuses in New York City and San Francisco.
    performance and athleisure.                                                                   Tube stations in London were taken over
                                                                                                  by wool, and billboards championed wool’s
    Importantly, the campaign set out to not                                                      message across Tokyo. These locations were
    only drive awareness of the fibre but also                                                    strategically selected with the latest heatmap
    influence the purchasing decisions of                                                         technology to identify high-traffic commute
    global consumers.                                                                             areas. About 20 million people have seen this
                                                                                                  outdoor advertising.
    The campaign film was initially rolled out
    across social media, and more than eight                                                      Research shows that millennials – our target
    million people across the world have seen                                                     audience – commute to work on public
    the film, with 877,000 shares and reactions   An example of the Live & Breathe campaign
                                                                                                  transport or by foot and it was our aim to
    across social media channels. The USA was     advertising in San Francisco.                   disrupt the commuter journey. We were able

    #LIVEANDBREATHE WOOL ADVOCATES
    As part of AWI’s Live &
    Breathe global consumer
    campaign, a broad range
    of key influencers across
    the world championed
    the natural performance
    benefits of wool.
    From hiking a national park
    in Colorado, to climbing
    in the French Alps, or
    practicing yoga in Japan,                     LAURA WHITMORE                                JAKE GUZMAN
    these key opinion leaders                     ACTRESS AND TV HOST                           OUTDOOR LIFESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHER
    tagged #LiveandBreathe on                     @thewhitmore                                  @jguzmannn
    Instagram and shared their                    549K Instagram followers                      101K Instagram followers
    experiences of wool with                      “Mornin! Friday vibes in Merino wool          Hiking throughout the Pacific Northwest
    their fans.                                   which is a sustainable alternative            of the USA:
                                                  to synthetic fabrics making it
    Here is a small selection of                  better for the environment and me!
                                                                                                “I’ve teamed up with The Woolmark Company
    their Instagram images…                                                                     on a recent adventure to test out clothing
                                                  And The Woolmark Company works
                                                                                                made of Merino wool – the breathable fabric
                                                  with Australian woolgrowers who
                                                                                                was extremely comfortable.”
                                                  ensure the highest standards of
                                                  animal welfare.”
HIGH PERFORMANCE MERINO JACKET - ISSUE 77 DECEMBER 2018 - Australian Wool ...
OFF   7
                                                                                                                                          FARM

                                                                                                    MEDIA PARTNERSHIPS
                                                                                                    The Woolmark Company also partnered
                                                                                                    with leading media outlets – both
                                                                                                    traditional and online – including Elle
                                                                                                    China, The New York Times, LADBible and
                                                                                                    T Magazine, reaching nearly two million
                                                                                                    readers worldwide. 

                                                                                                    “I’ve been wanting to write a wool sports
                                                                                                    story for so long. I tried a few years ago
 Well known exercise coach Roger Frampton,                                                          but there just weren’t enough big brands
 pictured wearing wool on a trek up Mount
 Snowdon in Wales, was one of more than 52 top                                                      doing it yet. Not the case anymore.”
 tier influencers throughout the world promoting                                                         Courtney Rubin, Freelance Journalist
 wool during the Live & Breathe campaign.                                                            for New York Times and Fast Company

to identify commuters who passed by our            wool product, reaching 45 million people
outdoor advertising and then target them           across social media.
                                                                                                    “I never knew that wool had so many
with the campaign film, which resulted in
                                                   Nine events were held for influencers and        benefits until I learned about it from
three million views of the film.
                                                   media across the USA, UK, China and Tokyo.       the Woolmark team. Who knew that
                                                                                                    the fabric you wore could make such a
INFLUENCING THE                                    From outdoor fitness classes in Shanghai and
                                                                                                    difference during a workout.”
KEY INFLUENCERS                                    Beijing, to summitting Mount Snowdon in the
                                                                                                         Sam Todd, Social Media Editor for GQ
                                                   UK and trail runs in Colorado, participants
An influencer campaign of some of
                                                   were given wool-rich outdoor-wear to
the world’s leading fitness stars helped
                                                   experience first-hand the performance                              MORE INFORMATION
connect commercial wool product to
consumers in an approachable, authentic
                                                   benefits of the fibre.                                  www.woolmark.com/liveandbreathe
way. These influencers and key opinion
leaders drove consideration for product by
validating the message of wool. See below
for a small selection of how these influencers
championed #liveandbreathe on Instagram.

Altogether, there were 52 top tier                                         The Woolmark Company partnered with Amazon to create a hub of
influencers and 25 media working out in                                    shoppable wool products. The Amazon.com display banners drove
                                                                           consumers to the Amazon landing page whilst consumers were driven
wool. The influencers were engaged to host                                 to the wool hub from other sources, such as email newsletters and
events and wear-test commercially available                                online advertising. See www.amazon.com/adlp/woolmark

KIRA STOKES                         ANTON KRUPICKA                          MORGAN TYLER                          ERIC UNDERWOOD
CELEBRITY TRAINER                   MOUNTAIN ULTRA-RUNNER                   YOGA INSTRUCTOR                       THE ROYAL BALLET
@kirastokesfit                      @antonkrupicka                          @findingmorgantyler                   @ericunderwood
268K Instagram followers            144K Instagram followers                497K Instagram followers              66.5K Instagram followers
Embracing nature in Hudson,         On the summit of Aiguille de l’M        “Feeling extra thankful               “Merino wool activewear is
NY: “Natural fibers in a            in Chamonix, France:                    to have warm, cozy and                naturally elastic, making it
natural environment: win                                                    breathable clothes after              ideal attire to get the best
                                    “For long days in the mountains, I
win. From bootcamp, to yoga,                                                partnering with The                   out of your workout. The
                                    find wool’s natural fibers to be the
to hiking, my Merino wool                                                   Woolmark Company this                 fabric reacts to your body
                                    best at moisture management
gear kept me comfy, cozy,                                                   autumn. Easy to go straight           temperature, absorbing
                                    and sustained comfort.”
warm and stylish. Needless                                                  home, to hiking, to popping           sweat whilst remaining
to say I’m totally STOKED on                                                into yoga poses in this Merino        odour free.”
working out in wool.”                                                       wool athleisure wear.”
HIGH PERFORMANCE MERINO JACKET - ISSUE 77 DECEMBER 2018 - Australian Wool ...
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                                                                                                       What better way to showcase
                                                                                                        wool’s performance benefits
                                                                                                   than have commercially available
                                                                                                    wool products tested by a group
                                                                                                    of top athletes – which is exactly
                                                                                                       what The Woolmark Company
                                                                                                     did as part of its Live & Breathe
                                                                                                                marketing campaign.

ELITE
ATHLETES
PUT WOOL
TO THE TEST                                                                                                                  High jumper Amy Pejkovic
                                                                                                                          wearing the latest P.E Nation
                                                                                                                       leggings and crop (see page 10).

                                                    Accomplished high jumper Amy Pejkovic,
                                                    pictured wearing adidas T-shirt, Merino Country
    Three-time Olympic middle distance runner       leggings and Röjk Badland Jacket (made using      2018 Commonwealth Games 100-metre semi-
    Jeff Riseley, pictured wearing Merino Country   the same fabric technology as the Woolmark WP     finalist Rohan Browning, pictured wearing an
    shorts and XTM long-sleeve shirt.               Optim jacket – see opposite).                     adidas T-shirt and Wildnerness Wear leggings.

    W      ith its unrivalled breathability,
           moisture management properties
    and odour control, there’s no denying that
                                                    and stretched, climbed and crunched at
                                                    Sydney’s historic Carriageworks, wearing
                                                    lightweight commercially available pieces
                                                                                                      performance in elite sport is all about being
                                                                                                      in a comfortable mental and physical space.
                                                                                                      When you’re behind the start line and all the
    wool is the ultimate performance fibre. To      from the likes of adidas, XTM, ioMerino           work has been done, the only thing you can
    prove it, AWI’s marketing arm, The Woolmark     and Ibex.                                         change is what you wear.”
    Company, put wool to the ultimate test –
    as part of the company’s Live & Breathe         The series of photos were rolled out via          Jeff agrees, noting in particular wool’s ability
    consumer marketing campaign – with three        The Woolmark Company’s social media               to regulate body temperature and minimise
    Australian athletes wearing head-to-toe wool    channels, and each athlete also championed        moisture. “I typically find it difficult to find
    for their workouts.                             the photos and the fibre to their own highly      a product that can keep me warm early in a
                                                    engaged audience, via their own channels.         run when I’m still cold, and that can cope once
    A series of photos, and video, were shot of                                                       I’ve warmed up so that I don’t overheat or
    three elite Australian athletes: three-time     THE ATHLETES’                                     sweat. Wool minimises the need for multiple
    Olympic middle distance runner Jeff Riseley,    VERDICT                                           layers that need to be shed as a run goes on,
    2018 Commonwealth Games 100-metre semi-                                                           making it really versatile.”
    finalist Rohan Browning, and accomplished       “I think that people hold the misconception
    high jumper Amy Pejkovic.                       that wool can be cumbersome and itchy,            Amy commented: “Breathable, lightweight,
                                                    which couldn’t be further from the truth,”        durable and 100% Australian Merino wool –
    The photos captured them as they sprinted       said Rohan of his experience. “High               perfect for summer workouts too.”
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WOOLMARK OPTIM
WR JACKET
                                                                                                      UNISEX STYLE
100% Merino wool fabric                                                                               AVAILABLE IN S, M, L, XL, XXL

Water and wind resistant
                                                                                                                      Hood with adjustable
                                                                                                                      elasticated drawstrings –
The WOOLMARK OPTIM WR JACKET                                                                                          which can be folded away
has been produced exclusively for this                                                                                in a zipped hood pocket.
woolgrower offer, to enable wool levy
payers to experience the benefits of
Merino wool in an innovative way.

The fabric used in this Woolmark                                                                                      PURE NEW WOOL (with
certified jacket has been commercially                                                                                the Woolmark logo) printed
launched and is being used in both the                                                                                down the right-hand sleeve,
                                                                                                                      and the Woolmark logo
fashion and outdoor markets.                                                                                          printed on left chest

UNIQUE, HIGH                                                                                                          Front zip
PERFORMANCE FABRIC
                                                                                                                      Zipped side pockets
•     Resistant to water and wind, while
      retaining all Merino wool’s fine
      properties, such as breathability.
•     Uses the latest OptimTM technology –
      the Merino wool is pre-stretched and
      spun into yarn before being woven.
•     An immensely dense fabric, due to
      the combination of a dense weave and
      fine yarns.
                                                                                              Lightweight fabric
•     Made from 100 per cent Australian                                                               (190gsm)
      Merino wool of 16-micron.

                                                                                              NFC chip on the cuff
AVAILABLE IN 6 COLOUR COMBINATIONS                                                            enabling smart phone
                                                                                              app user to discover the
                                                                                              production process of
                                                                                              the jacket, an augmented
                                                                                              reality experience and
                                                                                              other information about
                                                                                              the jacket

                                                                                              Cuffs are adjustable with Velcro
    Red with       Navy with       Blue with       Navy with      Beige with      Red with
    white trim     red trim        red trim       yellow trim     navy trim       navy trim

HOW TO PURCHASE                                                                                                    $185*
The jackets can be purchased only online at: www.wool.com/store                                                  for wool
Payment by only Visa or Mastercard is accepted.                                                                levy payers
* Prices include GST and shipping; shipping is only available within Australia.                                    ($245* for the public)
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                                                                                              P.E
                                                                                          NATION
                                                                            RUNS WITH WOOL
                                                                                         Leading Australian sportswear label
                                                                                   P.E Nation has released a premium Merino
                                                                                  wool activewear collection, in collaboration
                                                                                       with AWI, championing Merino wool as
                                                                                               the original performance fibre.

                                                                 A    ustralian street-inspired
                                                                      luxury sportswear label
                                                               P.E. Nation has turned to Merino
                                                                                                      consumers to buy on www.pe-nation.com.
                                                                                                      The collection is also stocked online at www.
                                                                                                      net-a-porter.com and www.farfetch.com.
                                                               wool to give its latest offering the
                                                              natural, innovative advantage its       In recent years, the activewear market’s
                                                             customers seek.                          understanding of, and appreciation for,
                                                                                                      wool has grown exponentially, with recent
                                                            Collaborating with AWI’s marketing        innovations – particularly in the seamless
                                                            arm, The Woolmark Company,                space – contributing to this significant growth.
                                                            P.E Nation has a created a six-
                                                           piece premium, high-performance            Seamless apparel – such as items from
                                                           womenswear collection, made from           P.E Nation’s wool-rich collection – is unique
                                                          technical Merino wool fabrics.              because it allows for a combination of
                                                                                                      different patterns and knit structures, in
                                                          Certified by The Woolmark Company           different colours, on a single piece of fabric.
                                                         – which guarantees quality assurance –       By engineering a garment to have features
                                                        the collection includes high-rise seamless    such as compression and breathability
                                                       leggings and a crop top with an innovative     points on a single structure, it allows for
                                                      compression knit structure along with a         next-level performance and a new level of
                                                     series of Merino wool knits.                     styled comfort.

                                                    “It’s here where the perfect synergy lies –       Fronted by international supermodel Jess
                                                    quintessentially Australian brands coming         Hart, the P.E Nation campaign images remain
                                                    together to champion the notion of natural        completely un-retouched and are a true
                                                    strength, grace and femininity – for all          reflection of working with the 100% natural,
                                                    women, every day,” explained P.E Nation           renewable and biodegradable Merino wool
                                                    co-founder Pip Edwards.                           fibre and capture the love of natural beauty.

                                                    This new six-piece collection marks the           Jess is well known in the fashion industry,
                                                    second time P.E Nation has worked alongside       having modeled for brands including Victoria’s
                                                    The Woolmark Company, aligning their              Secret, Louis Vuitton, Dolce and Gabbana and
                                                    belief in authenticity, quality and technical     Max Mara – and she has graced the covers
                                                    innovation to ensure the latest cutting-edge      of Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Harper’s BAZAAR,
                                                    wool fabrics and yarns were sourced for           Marie Claire and Elle. She was born in Sydney
                                                    the collection.                                   and went to school in Melbourne before she
                                                                                                      was discovered and became a model.
                                                    AWI CEO Stuart McCullough said the
                                                    collection demonstrates how P.E Nation                                    MORE INFORMATION
                                                    continues to reimagine how the market                                      www.pe-nation.com
                                                    sees activewear and pushes the boundaries
                                                    on design and construction of high-
                                                    performance fabrications.

                                                    “Staying true to P.E Nation’s street-inspired
                                                    sportswear aesthetic, this collection offers
                                                     global consumers the opportunity to
                                                        experience the natural best in sports
              International supermodel Jess Hart
                                                           and activewear,” he said.
            fronts the new P.E Nation x Woolmark
                          performance collection.               The collection was launched
                                                                                                             The six-piece
                                                                   during New York Fashion                    collection is
                                                                        Week in September              available to buy on
                                                                            and is available for      www.pe-nation.com
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ACROSS MONGOLIA
WITH MERINO
                                                                          And they’re off! Competitors on their 1,000km race across the Mongolian steppe.
                                                        During their whole journey they didn’t pass through any gate and they saw less that 5km of fencing.

Four cousins from country                            Merino wool was the only thing that would be         One sheep producer donated the profit
                                                     able to get them through the varying climate,        raised from selling 100 lambs. Elders,
NSW took part in this year’s                         keeping in mind, no showers or baths would           the producer’s broker, matched this and
Mongolian Derby – racing                             greet them at the end of the day.                    donated its share in these proceeds whilst
on horseback for eight days                                                                               the transport company Goulburn Livestock
                                                     AWI facilitated a partnership for the team
across a thousand kilometers                         with performance wear brand Helly Hansen
                                                                                                          donated the cost of freight of getting the
of the Mongolian steppe                                                                                   lambs to market.
                                                     who kitted out the team with base-layer
– all while wearing Merino                           performance Merino sportswear.                       Another woolgrower from NSW, Richard
wool base-layers.                                    “We could only pack a couple of items to keep
                                                                                                          Walker, donated the proceeds of two of their
                                                                                                          best superfine wool bales to the cause, and
                                                     under the weight limit, so we took a Merino
                                                                                                          hundreds of family, friends and complete
                                                     base-layer long-sleeved shirt, short-sleeved

T   he Mongolian Derby is known as the               shirt and full-length tights. We rode in the         strangers generously donated to the Ride for
    longest and toughest horse race on earth         short sleeve shirt every single day and slept in     a Cure cause.
– navigating a course that recreates the horse       the long-sleeved shirt and tights each night,”       Henry said that the team had been truly
messenger system developed by Ghengis                explained Ed.
                                                                                                          humbled by the overwhelming support they
Khan in 1224.
                                                     “We found that wearing wool kept our body            had received.
Riders square up to 1000km of Mongolian              temperatures balanced throughout the day
wilderness on semi-wild horses, changing                                                                  “To date, we have raised more than $189,000
                                                     whilst at night when the mercury dropped
steed every 40km. The terrain includes high                                                               for MS Research Australia. Thank you to
                                                     we were grateful for the long-sleeved Merino
passes, huge valleys, wooded hills, river                                                                 everyone who donated, supported us in the
                                                     shirt; it was like a second skin.”
crossings, wetland, dunes and of course                                                                   lead up to the race and cheered us on as we
                                                                                                          rode across the steppe. The support we have
open steppe.                                         GREAT SUPPORT                                        received is a testament to the generosity of
Riders navigate and survive on their own wits        Being impressed by the performance of the            the community around us.”
and skill, living among the herders. There’s no      Merino wool gear was not the only welcome
marked course, no packed lunches, no beds to         surprise that met the team. The donations,                               MORE INFORMATION
sleep in. This is no pony trek or guided tour        large and small from across the country went           Read more about the team’s race, and to
– only half the competitors entering the race        above and beyond their imagination.                       donate, visit www.arideforacure.com
complete it.

This might seem daunting to the average                                     Henry, Jack, Ed and Rob wearing their Helly Hansen Merino wool base-layers,
                                                                                                       with two local herders during a break in the race.
person. But for four cousins, hailing from
Breadalbane and Gundy in NSW, it was a
challenge that paled in comparison to the
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) that afflicts their
father and uncle Rob Bell every day.

Henry Bell (Rob’s son) and his three cousins
Rob, Ed and Jack Archibald decided to
dedicate their Mongolian Derby challenge
to Rob, and raise funds for Kiss Goodbye to
MS, the MS Research Australia’s fundraising
initiative. The initial goal for their ‘Ride for a
Cure’ campaign was $100,000.

MERINO A MUST
As it came closer to the start date, the team
realised they were going to need gear that
could keep them cool as they rode all day,
warm at night and water and wind resistant
if they were going to get through the volatile
Mongolian storms.
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                                   T  ake a look at two of the biggest trends in
                                      the market right now.
                                                                                     development program,” explained AWI CEO
                                                                                     Stuart McCullough. “It provides an excellent
                                                                                     opportunity for young talent to find a place for
                                   Firstly, performance apparel is one of the        their exciting innovation on the international
                                   fastest growing sectors in the global textile
                                                                                     stage, whilst pushing the possibilities of
                                   industry, which can be attributed to an
                                                                                     Merino wool into unchartered territories.”
                                   emergence of new technologies, new sporting
                                   trends and a shift in peoples’ attitude towards   To enhance the impact of the initiative, The
                                   health and fitness.                               Woolmark Company is proud to partner with
                                                                                     leading global sportswear brand adidas for
                                   Secondly, consumers are becoming more
                                                                                     the competition. Both companies believe
                                   aware of the impact their purchasing
                                                                                     that exciting innovations with wool – such as
                                   decisions have on the planet and are
                                                                                     smart textiles; nano-technology; and design,
                                   demanding natural alternatives for their
                                                                                     finishing, and production developments –
                                   product and apparel needs.
                                                                                     will create solutions that meet and surpass
                                   To take advantage of these two mega-              consumers’ new expectations and values
                                   movements in the market, AWI’s subsidiary         for activewear.
                                   The Woolmark Company in January 2018
                                    launched a new initiative – the Woolmark         STUDENTS TAKE UP
                                     Performance Challenge – which aims to           THE CHALLENGE
                                      increase the demand for Australian Merino
                                                                                     The inaugural competition that ran through
                                      wool in the sports and outdoor sectors.
                                                                                     2018 was open to students in Europe and
                                     So what is the Woolmark Performance             North America and attracted 510 student
                                   Challenge? It is an annual competition for        registrations from 58 universities. The second
                                   tertiary students to develop innovative           year’s competition, again in partnership with
                                    new product applications within the sports       adidas, has expanded to include tertiary
                                    and performance market, by applying              students from across the world, including
                                     the science and performance benefits of         Australia.
                                      Australian Merino wool.
                                                                                     Students studying a wide range of specialisms
                                      “The Woolmark Performance Challenge            – from product design, industrial design,
                                       is an exciting new phase of our product       advanced materials, and performance/

     WOOLMARK
     PERFORMANCE
     CHALLENGE
     The Woolmark Performance Challenge – in partnership
                                                                                     The finalists of the inaugural Woolmark
     with adidas – is a new annual design competition for                            Performance Challenge.
     tertiary students, aimed at pushing the boundaries
     of product innovation in sportswear.
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product engineering, to textile futures,          Course. In addition, a series of monthly          The award was judged by a highly respected
innovation and new applications – are all         webinars were delivered to students by            panel of judges including Senior Design
invited to take part in the competition.          industry experts – discussing topics such         Director at adidas, Tillmann Studrucker; Talent
                                                  as the benefits and future of wool, through       Acquisition Manager at adidas, Louis de Vos;
                                                  to the importance of innovation and               Special Projects Editor at Sports Illustrated,
“We need to develop an alternative to
                                                  sustainability.                                   Jamie Lisanti; Editor in Chief of outdoor
the massive use of man-made fibres
                                                                                                    industry news publisher SNEWS, Kristin
used in sports apparel. With the newest           Once submissions for this year’s competition      Hostetter; Chief Innovation Officer at Future
innovations within Merino wool we can             closed in May, judges deliberated hard as to      Tech Lab, Amanda Parkes; Creative Director
now create high-performance products              who should be the 10 finalists. The chosen        & Owner of Dyne (winner of this year’s
with low environmental impact.”                   finalists were from universities in the UK,       International Woolmark Prize Innovation
      2018 finalist Christel Thue Høgsted,       France, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland         Award), Christopher Bevans; and AWI’s
                 University of Oregon, USA       and the USA.                                      General Manager of Processing Innovation &
                                                  The Woolmark Company hosted a two-day             Education Extension, Julie Davies.
                                                  workshop in London in September to ensure
“The students are encouraged to look beyond
                                                  each of the finalists was ready to present        “My main goal was to make a textile
existing product offerings and think long-
                                                  their ideas to the judging panel at the finals    that connects and communicates with
term. They are asked to consider how the
                                                  event in Denver in November. The two-day          the body; and Merino wool supports
impact of technological advances and shifts
                                                  workshop brought together experts from            the wearer’s needs in any situation or
in consumer attitudes, environmental and/or
                                                  the sports, textiles and fashion industries,      environment to enhance performance.”
cultural issues, would affect their concept and
                                                  including former Topman Creative Director,
its value,” Stuart said.                                                                                 2018 winner Alicia Ferreira de Sousa
                                                  Gordon Richardson; Eco-Age founder and
                                                                                                          L’École de la Maille de Paris, France
“The Woolmark Performance Challenge not           creative director, Livia Firth; outdoor apparel
only provides a unique learning experience        company Finisterre’s founder, Tom Kay; and
for the students to push the limits of product    head of fashion and technology at Stoll,          Given the possibility of the winning entry
innovation, but also provides the winner with     Joerg Hartmann.                                   being taken up for further commercial
a financial reward and potential for further                                                        collaboration, we can’t reveal the details
collaboration with The Woolmark Company                                                             of the entry just yet. But the judges’
                                                  “I don’t feel like this is a competition
and adidas.”                                                                                        comments might give you a hint of what
                                                  at all. We’ve formed a community                  the entry offered.
                                                  to share knowledge for shaping the
A LEARNING                                        future of sports.”                                “As an aerobic gymnast, Alicia brought her
EXPERIENCE                                                          2018 finalist Youngmi Kim      knowledge of the body’s movement and
The students are provided with an extensive              Institut Français de la Mode, France      combined it with science to highlight the
range of educational resources about wool                                                           functionality and benefits of Australian
– to not only arm them with information to                                                          Merino wool’s properties. She found a way
assist in their competition entry, but to also    AND THE                                           to bring this together with a unique and
encourage and inspire them to think about         WINNER IS…                                        technical innovation, that is applicable to
wool in their future careers.                                                                       many sports,” said judge Jamie Lisanti of
                                                  Alicia Ferreira de Sousa from L’École de la
                                                                                                    Sports Illustrated.
To kick-start their journey in the competition    Maille de Paris was announced the winner
and stimulate their imagination, The              of the inaugural Woolmark Performance             Fellow judge Tillmann Studrucker of adidas
Woolmark Company encouraged all the 510           Challenge at a special event during last          commented: “It is incredible how many
students who entered the 2018 competition to      month’s Outdoor Retailer trade show in            great innovations we saw from students in
take the company’s online Wool Appreciation       Denver, Colorado.                                 this open collaboration between adidas and
                                                                                                    The Woolmark Company. It was not easy to
                                                                                                               nominate the final winner. In the
                                                                                                               end, we went for the person who
                                                                                                               shared the number one principle of
                                                                                                               our founder Adi Dassler – ‘only the
                                                                                                               best for the athlete’ – helping them
                                                                                                               to perform better in their sport
                                                                                                               using the benefits of wool. I want
                                                                                                               to thank everyone involved in
                                                                                                               making this competition a success
                                                                                                               and for giving these students a
                                                                                                               platform to show their talent.”

                                                                                                              As well as the opportunity to sell
                                                                                                              her winning idea, Alicia will receive
                                                                                                              a cash prize of €10,000, a three-
                                                                                                              month internship with adidas,
                                                                                                              along with ongoing industry
                                                                                                              and training support from
                                                                                                              The Woolmark Company.

                                                                                                                        MORE INFORMATION
                                                                                                             Registrations for the next edition
                                                                                                              of the competition are now open
Former Topman Creative Director and British       The inaugural Woolmark Performance                    and tertiary students from across the
Fashion Council member Gordon Richardson          Challenge winner Alicia Ferreira de Sousa.
mentors the 10 finalists as part of a two-day     Photo credit: Scott Martin/Hed Hi Media             world, including Australia, are invited to
workshop hosted by The Woolmark Company                                                               apply at www.woolmarkchallenge.com.
in London.
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        AUSTRALIAN
      WOOL-GROWING
           RECEIVES                                                                                           Australian woolgrowers Richard and Jenny

         ECO AWARD                                                                                            Weatherly (left) and Vanessa and Matt Dunbabin
                                                                                                              (right) accepted the inaugural Eco Stewardship
                                                                                                              Award on behalf of all Australian woolgrowers.
                                                                                                              The award was presented by Cate Blanchett
                                                                                                              (centre) at this year’s Green Carpet Fashion
                                                                                                              Awards that were held in front of a packed house
     Australian woolgrowers have been awarded with the                                                        of celebrities and fashion industry icons at
                                                                                                              La Scala opera house in Milan.
     inaugural Eco Stewardship Award at this year’s Green
     Carpet Fashion Awards held as the conclusion of Milan                                                    Every day, woolgrowers across the country
     Fashion Week. The award recognises the commitment to                                                     are caring for their animals and the land in
     the environment demonstrated by the tens of thousands                                                    a passionate and sustainable way, ensuring
     of woolgrowers across the country.                                                                       that when you are wearing wool, you are also
                                                                                                              caring for the environment. Woolgrowers
                                                                                                              have always known this is the case – and it is
                                                                                                              fantastic that this has been recognised by the

 T       he Green Carpet Fashion Awards – often
         referred to as the ‘Oscars of sustainable
     fashion’ – is a star-studded celebration of
                                                       that is foundational – the production of
                                                       Merino wool,” said Blanchett during the
                                                       award’s presentation.
                                                                                                              fashion industry.”

                                                                                                              The Weatherlys echoed this sentiment, saying:
     the best in sustainable fashion. It is a joint                                                           “We are very honoured to be representing
     initiative of the National Chamber of Italian     “An ambitious program of reform has                    other woolgrowers, who have shown
     Fashion and sustainability consultants            seen the best Australian woolgrowers set               remarkable stewardship of their country
     Eco-Age, headed by global sustainability          new benchmarks for producing this most                 and to some degree to be representing Livia
     champion Livia Firth.                             precious natural fibre. Of course, nobody              Firth’s innovative and brilliant work as well
                                                       tells this tale better than those working to           as The Woolmark Company’s commitment in
     In Milan to accept the Eco Stewardship Award      progress this critical movement.”                      this regard.”
     on behalf of Australia’s woolgrowers were
     Matt and Vanessa Dunbabin from ‘Bangor’           Both the Dunbabins and the Weatherlys                  Despite being a new addition to the fashion
     at Dunalley in Tasmania, alongside Richard        have actively demonstrated their efforts               calendar, the awards have established
     and Jenny Weatherly from ‘Connewarran’ at         to regenerate the land and increase the                themselves as one of the world’s foremost
     Mortlake in Victoria. To add to the prestigious   biodiversity of their properties across the            sustainability and fashion events. This year’s
     honour, the award was presented by Oscar-         years – see opposite page.                             event attracted the biggest names in fashion
     winning Australian actor Cate Blanchett.                                                                 and entertainment, including Colin Firth,
                                                       “It is an honour to be awarded the Eco
                                                                                                              Elle Macpherson, Cindy Crawford, Julianne
     “It gives me particular pleasure to present       Stewardship Award,” explain the Dunbabins.
                                                                                                              Moore and Alison Brie.
     tonight’s Eco Stewardship award to a group        “This award not only recognises our work
     of people from my native Australia who are        at ‘Bangor’, but also shines a light more                                   MORE INFORMATION
     genuinely leading the sustainability charge,      broadly on world-leading sustainable wool                                     www.eco-age.com/
     and in an aspect of the fashion industry          production happening right across Australia.                         green-carpet-fashion-awards

     FOREVER TASMANIA SCREENED DURING MILAN FASHION WEEK
                                                       As part of Milan Fashion Week, sustainable             documentary follows the journey to
                                                       fashion consultancy brand Eco-Age held                 Tasmania of Creative Director and Founder
                                                       a screening of its short documentary                   of Eco-Age, Livia Firth, for a first-hand look at
                                                       titled Fashion-Scapes: Forever Tasmania,               where and how Merino wool is produced.
                                                       supported by AWI’s marketing arm The
                                                       Woolmark Company.                                      “In Tasmania I found growers producing fine
                                                                                                              wool for the global apparel industry with a deep
                                                       Over the past decade, Eco-Age has become               understanding of the need to work within the
                                                       known for championing sustainable                      earth’s biological capacity,” Livia said.
                                                       production and for telling the ecological
                                                       and human stories behind the clothes we                “They were clear that their role was not just
                                                       wear. The Fashion-Scapes: Forever Tasmania             as fibre producers, but equally as custodians
                                                                                                              of this incredible landscape. When someone
                                                                                                              has changed over 20 years to embrace
                                                       (Top) Eco-Age’s Livia Firth with Matt Dunbabin         sustainability so deeply, that is very moving
                                                       on ‘Bangor’ in Tasmania – pictured in the eco-
                                                                                                              – not to mention, instructive.”
                                                       documentary ‘Fashion-Scapes: Forever Tasmania’.
                                                       (Bottom) Matt and Vanessa Dunbabin chatting
                                                       with Eco-Age’s Livia Firth and her husband, actor
                                                                                                                                   MORE INFORMATION
                                                       Colin Firth, after the special screening of the eco-                     www.eco-age.com/news/
                                                       documentary during Milan Fashion Week.                           fashion-scapes-forever-tasmania
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                                                                                                                                            FARM

MEET THE GROWERS WHO REPRESENTED AUSTRALIA AT THE AWARDS
                                                                                                      vegetation, planted them out, guarded them
                                                                                                      against pests and fenced them against
                                                                                                      larger grazing animals. This was very time
                                                                                                      consuming and very expensive. Together
                                                                                                      with a group of like-minded farmers, we
                                                                                                      developed a machine which would sow the
                                                                                                      seed directly where it was to grow, which
                                                                                                      enabled us to sow many kilometres of seed-
                                                                                                      line in a day, establishing good shelterbelts
                                                                                                      of mixed species and good understory at
                                                                                                      minimal cost.

                                                                                                      WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR EXPERIENCE
                                                                                                      WITH MERINOS AT CONNEWARRAN?
                                                                                                      When we started farming, we were strongly
                                                                                                      advised not to try breeding Merinos, that they
                                                                                                      had been tried in the 1930s and had failed to
                                                                      Jenny and Richard Weatherly
                                                                                                      be productive. However, no other breed was
                                                                                                      going to cut sufficient wool of high enough
RICHARD AND JENNY WEATHERLY                       WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU TO                         quality to be profitable. Our intention was
‘Connewarran’, Mortlake, Victoria                 BE RECOGNISED FOR THE ECO                           to breed a Merino that could utilise the
                                                  STEWARDSHIP AWARD?                                  environment and to create an environment
Situated near Mortlake in western Victoria,                                                           that supported the Merino. We saw it as
Richard and Jenny Weatherly have produced         It means a huge amount. We are very
                                                                                                      managing an ecosystem and harvesting
a flourishing property, one built on respect      honoured and very proud. Personally,
                                                                                                      production from the ecosystem, so they were
for the land and its natural inhabitants. The     it has been a fascinating and educative
                                                                                                      never seen as separate entities. They would
importance of the environment has always          journey developing ‘Connewarran’, with the
                                                                                                      each be diminished if they were.
been at the forefront of their, and their son     assistance, mentoring and advice of some
and business manager Hamish’s, minds. The         extraordinarily well-informed and generous                               MORE INFORMATION
couple established one and a half million trees   people to whom we owe a great deal.                     Richard and Jenny were featured in a
and added pastures, wetlands and drainage                                                                   short film by AWI telling in their own
– and their Merino flock happily shares the       HOW DID YOU START TO RESTORE                           words how they built a thriving Merino
land with a flourishing abundance of wildlife     CONNEWARRAN?                                          wool-growing farm based on respect for
including emus, koalas and a quarter of all       Initially, we grew trees from seed that we           the land. View the video at www.youtube.
bird species in Australia.                        collected locally from the scarce remnant                           com/thewoolmarkcompany

                                                                                                      before us. And we hope to give our children
                                                                                                      the opportunity to continue living and
                                                                                                      working at ‘Bangor’. Every decision we make
                                                                                                      on the farm is viewed through a long-term
                                                                                                      lens.

                                                                                                      WHAT LAND CONSERVATION HAVE
                                                                                                      YOU DONE AT BANGOR?
                                                                                                      At ‘Bangor’, we have voluntarily placed
                                                                                                      more than 2,000 hectares of native forest
                                                                                                      and grassland into conservation covenants.
                                                                                                      These are permanent reserves, protecting our
                                                                                                      most precious plants, animals and historic
                                                                                                      sites forever. As a farmer, caring for our land
                                                                                                      is paramount – and for farmers, this comes
                                                                                                      naturally. We rely on our land as our home,
                                                                                                      workplace and livelihood. Looking after our
                                                                                                      patch of the world means it will look after us,
                                                                        Vanessa and Matt Dunbabin
                                                                                                      and we can continue to produce great wool
MATT AND VANESSA DUNBABIN                         plants covering the soil also reduce dust and       for people to wear.
‘Bangor’, Dunalley, Tasmania                      dirt contamination of the fleece, ensuring
                                                  wool remains bright and lustrous.                   WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO PROTECT
‘Bangor’ is a 6,000 ha property that includes                                                         TASMANIA’S NATIVE FLORA
5,100 ha of native forests and grassland,         WHY IS LAND AND ENVIRONMENT                         AND FAUNA?
2,100 ha of permanent forest reserves and         CARE SO IMPORTANT?                                  ‘Bangor’ has a diverse range of habitats,
35 km of coastline. The Dunbabins run a flock     Most farms in Australia are family farms, and       including coastal wetlands, native forests and
of 5,000 superfine Merinos, which produce         farmers have a long connection with their           grasslands. These have always been home
some of the world’s finest, softest and           land. Growing up on a farm gives you a deep         to Tasmanian native animals and plants,
brightest wool. The extensive areas of native     care and understanding of the land, and its         including many endangered species. As land
pastures at ‘Bangor’ are ideal for growing this   health is critical to the success of the farm. We   owners, it is our responsibility to manage our
type of wool. They provide even nutrition         know that we are just the current custodians        land so that wildlife and plants can thrive.
year-round, which in turn allows the wool         of our special part of the world, which has         It is part of what makes ‘Bangor’ such a
fibre to grow evenly and strongly. Native         been cared for by the people who have come          special place to live and work.
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