Australian Superfine Woolgrowers Association 6th Annual Reunion Weekend
HAMILITON/ARARAT – 13-14TH MAY 2017
PRESS RELEASE
One hundred & five Superfine woolgrowers, sponsors & guests converged on Hamilton on the 13/14 May 2017 for the 6th Annual Reunion Dinner & Farm Tours. Members travelled both nationally and internationally to attend the event with ninety-three people attending the ASWGA reunion dinner held at the Grange Burn (Comfort Inn) at Hamilton to celebrate the presentation of prizes in the ASWGA Fleece Competition. It was especially pleasing to catch up with Lesley & Roger Prior, Merino breeders from England.
Highlights of the event included Itochu’s Mike Kuritani, (ASWGA Honorary Life Member) presentation on the Hamilton Lamb’s Wool brand his company has developed and the presentation of Honorary Life Membership to Kevin Dunn. The launch of Australian Merino Export’s new Ararat presence providing growers with direct access to international clients; and the opportunity to visit Russell & Penny Hartwich’s stud Kelseldale Stud, Bill and Jenny Crawford’s Sierra Park, to see their traditional Saxon bloodline sheep being shorn, and the Mibus Family’s Glenara Stud.
ASWGA’s major sponsor for the event, Australian Wool Network, displayed the garment collection they have developed in co-operation with Hedrena and Kangaroo Island. An informative mix off current issues updates together with the camaraderie at Pierrepoint Winery and Grange Burn (Comfort Inn) provided attendees with the opportunity for learning and networking.
Special thanks to sponsors of the event, and particular thanks to the small group of volunteers from the Hamilton and Ararat branches of the ASWGA, and to Melissa Mulley in the Melbourne Office who organized and arranged the entire weekend.
Photo credit: Annabelle Cleeland
L/R: Russell Macgugan, AWN Sheep and Wool Specialist, Dunkeld, Victoria , William Kinghorn, “Byaduk”, Victoria & Will Crawford “Mirranatwa, Victoria”; Group shot of attendees; Sunday’s farm tour took the group to Kelseldale in Ballyrogan in the Ararat/Barunah Region, hosted by Penny & Russell Hartwich.