TWO young women already motivated to extend their wool industry experience beyond the farmgate have gained 2027 Australian Wool Innovation Graduates Program placements.

Australian Wool Innovation has announced South Australian farm research assistant Jessica Cousins and New South Wales ‘wool girl’ Lydie Taylor will join the program in March next year.

Looking for a deeper understanding – Jessica Cousins

Jess Cousins.

AWI said Jess Cousins is in the final stages of completing a Bachelor of Agricultural Science at the University of Adelaide and currently works as a casual farm research assistant with the South Australian Research and Development Institute. She grew up in South Australia’s mid-north, developing an early appreciation for the role sheep farming plays in regional Australia. However, it was a role as a roustabout with Extra Mile Shearing that sparked a keen interest in wool handling and the broader wool industry. Since then, Jess has broadened her agricultural experience across several livestock enterprises, AWI said. In her gap year she worked on a mixed farming operation running crossbred sheep in Victoria and a South Australian station, providing exposure to sheep meat production. AWI said while Jess’ background has been predominantly on-farm, her curiosity extends well beyond the farm gate, and she is eager to deepen her understanding of the wool supply chain, particularly the processing, manufacturing and global marketing sectors through the AWI program.

“I’m really looking forward to the AWI Graduate Program as an opportunity to build a deeper understanding of the wool industry across its entire value chain, from on-farm production through to research, development, and market engagement.

“I’m particularly interested in learning more about demand creation, extension and education, and how research can be translated into practical outcomes that deliver real value to growers,” she said.

“More broadly, I’m excited by the diversity of the experiences the program offers and the opportunity to learn from industry experts, develop my skills, and gain a holistic understanding of the Australian wool industry.

“I’m genuinely excited about the entire experience and the opportunity to contribute to the future of the industry.”

Excited about wool as a sustainable fibre – Lydie Taylor

Lydie Taylor.

Lydie Taylor was raised in the New England region of New South Wales on Taylors Run, her family’s Merino sheep property. AWI said she developed an early connection to wool through hands-on experience working as a farm hand and growing up immersed in the wool industry.  While studying fashion design, she became known among friends as “the wool girl” due to her passion for wool and fascination with its journey from farm to fashion, AWI said.

Lydie’s commitment to understanding and promoting wool has led her to engage extensively across the industry.  In 2025, she attended the IWTO Conference in Lille, France, as part of the Young Professionals Program, where she gained insight into the global wool supply chain  This has inspired her to advocate for greater supply-chain education within fashion and to strengthen connections between producers, processors and designers, AWI said.

Lydie is particularly interested in wool’s environmental potential and the opportunities to combine the fibre’s natural performance attributes with innovative materials and manufacturing technologies.  Before joining AWI in March 2027, she will undertake a five-week internship with REDA, gaining practical experience within a vertically integrated wool mill, which will complement her learning through the AWI Graduate Training Program.

“I am thrilled to have been selected for AWI’s graduate program, I look forward to learning more about Australia’s wool industry and its global impact.

“I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to contribute to wool as a sustainable fibre,” Lydie said.

AWI said the Graduate Training Program continues to attract exceptional interest from graduates eager to build a career within the Australian wool industry.  This year, more than 50 candidates from across Australia competed for the highly sought-after program positions. They came from a diverse range of disciplines including agricultural science, agriculture, agribusiness, economics, fashion design and sustainability.

AWI chief executive officer Bryan Fry said there was a rigorous and highly competitive recruitment process.

“AWI is thrilled to see such strong enthusiasm and passion for the wool industry and its future among the next generation of emerging talent.

“We look forward to welcoming Jessica Cousins and Lydie Taylor and supporting them in their career journey through wool.”

Source – AWI.