ASWGA Fleece Competition Results 2014-2015

The second annual ASWGA Fleece Competition awards were held at the 4th annual ASWGA Dinner in Armidale on Saturday 2nd May.

The competition was conducted in Melbourne in December and the ASWGA was grateful for the experienced assistance of the judges Kelvin Shelley and Jason Rothe along with the support of Harold Manttan and John Colley of Australian Wool Network.

These awards were divided into four categories to better represent traditional fine crimping wools. Based on the Bradford score the categories were 90’s and finer, 80’s, 74’s and 70’s.

There were also winners from each region.

Extra points were awarded for heavier fleeces to reflect current market trends. Most of the categories were well supported but the majority of entries were finer fleeces.

Congratulations to Noel & Lyndsay Henderson of “Avington Farm” of Sidonia, Victoria for winning the Cleckheaton Grand Champion Fleece Trophy. Noel & Lyndsay Henderson also won the Class 74’s and placed first in the Ararat/Barunah region.

Pictured L/R: Danny Picker Fleece Competition Coordinator, Brenda McGahan, CEO of Australian Country Spinners, Noel Henderson of Avington Farm, Sidonia, receiving the Cleckheaton Grand Champion Fleece Trophy, and John Taylor, President of Australian Superfine Wool Growers Association. Photo courtesy of Ian Cathles of Cooradigbee.

A very special thanks to Australian Country Spinners and Roberts Ltd who sponsored the event once again this year and to Australian Wool Network for facilitating the judging and sale of the fleeces.

The complete list of winners:

Allan & Carolyn Phillips of “Glen Stuart” Deddington, Tasmania, won the 90’s and finer class and placed first in the Tasmanian Region.

Geoff & Heather Phillip of “Currawong” Tatyoon, Victoria placed first in the 80’s class.

Mark & Lesleann Waters of “Riverton”, Armidale NSW won the Class 70’s and placed first in the New England region.

Ian & Margaret Humphry of “Avondale” in Springhurst, Victoria, placed first in the Albury/Wodonga region.

Trevor & Kathy Mibus of “Glenara Merinos” Hamilton, Victoria, placed first in the Hamilton Region.

Paul Jones & Kim Price of “Lyneside”, Bathurst, NSW, placed first in the Mudgee Region.

Roland Ritson of “Grindon”, Boyup Brook, Western Australia for the West Australian Region.

This year we also recognise Russell Hartwich of “Kelseldale”, Ballyrogan, Victoria and Rodney & Carol Westmore of “Patterdale”,Tasmania for submitting highly commended fleeces.