Australian Wool Industry Medal nominations are wanted.

NOMINATIONS have opened for the 2021 Australian Wool Industry Medal, but the continuing COVID-19 pandemic is preventing presentations for all the 2020 winners from proceeding.

Two former shearers — former left-handed South Australian shearer and WoolProducers Australia president Richard Halliday and Western Australian shearing identity Kevin Gellatly — have been recognised as the latest recipients of the prestigious medal.

However, Australian Wool Industries Secretariat executive manager Bianca Heaney said three 2020 medal presentations for recipients in Victoria and New South Wales have not been held due to pandemic restrictions.

“We were hopeful that they would have been done by now.”

She said the awards were normally presented during Wool Week in Melbourne, which was cancelled due to the pandemic, or more recently before peers at a presentation in their home state.

“We’ve basically got everything lined up it’s just a case of not being in lockdown – New South Wales is in lockdown, we’re in lockdown.”

Ms Heaney said a decision had not yet been made about the 2021 Wool Week, although the venue was booked.

The Australian Wool Industry Medal recognises men and women who have made an exceptional and sustained contribution to the Australian wool industry. Nominations for the 2021 medal allocation close on the 3 May 2021.

For further details and the nomination form please visit https://www.fawo.org.au/awards/overview