WoolProducers president Richard Halliday

RECONNECTING with wool growers and uniting the industry are priorities for newly re-elected WoolProducers Australia president Richard Halliday.

The South Australian wool grower and stud breeder Richard Halliday has been re-elected to lead Australia’s wool producers for another year.

He was re-elected unopposed to serve his second WPA presidency, at the WoolProducers Australia annual general meeting in Sydney on Wednesday.

New South Wales wool grower Ed Storey was also re-elected senior vice-president and Queensland grower James McKenzie was re-elected as treasurer.

Mr Halliday said his priorities included building on some of WPA’s achievements in the past year, stabilising the organisation, reconnecting with its members and trying to unify the industry as much as possible.

“We’ve learned a lot in this first 12 months and we’ve managed to achieve a few goals in that regard, but we’ve got more to go.”

He said a direct linkage to grass-roots supporters was important to anyone in the agricultural advocacy or research and development sectors.

“And listening to what they have to say to you and try to make industry a better and more profitable place for them by doing so.”

But Mr Halliday said the responsibility for maintaining organisation-to-grower links also rested with producers and members, to connect with the industry’s peak bodies.

“If you have got a problem you ring the Richard Halliday or the Steve Harrison, or whoever the representative is, and talk to them about it.”

Incumbent independent directors re-elected for two years

In the independent directors’ poll, Gippsland wool grower Steve Harrison, New South Wales grower Charlie Merriman and Max Watts from Western Australia were re-elected for a further two-year term.

Monaro wool producer and livestock contractor Jamie Rowe was unsuccessful in the election in what was a “very close” vote, Mr Halliday said.

Mr Halliday thanked Mr Rowe for his nomination and interest and hoped he would stay abreast of WPA activities and possibly seek election in the future.