FAWO chairman Robert Ryan.

AUSTRALIA’S wool industry now has its own medal, anyone can win it and nominations are open.

The Federation of Australian Wool Organisations Inc. has announced the launch of the Australian Wool Industry Medal to recognise men and women who have made an exceptional and sustained contribution to the Australian wool industry.

The award is open to anyone in the industry, including brokers, shearers, wool classers, brokers, growers, researchers, educators and buyers.

FAWO chairman, Robert Ryan OAM, announced the medal award at the Sydney Royal Easter Show last week and Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Barnaby Joyce, has supported the initiative.

Mr Ryan said the Australian wool industry is iconic and its annual contribution of more than $3 billion to the Australian economy should be acknowledged.

“The Australian Wool Industry Medal will recognise and celebrate the success of the men and women from across the wool industry who have made a real difference through their dedication, innovation and expertise.

“This is a positive initiative for the wool industry as it will bring forward nominations of people from a diverse range of backgrounds,” he said.

“To be acknowledged by your peers is one of the highest accolades possible.”

Mr Ryan said the Australian wool industry is the world’s largest and is recognized globally as the leader in fibre quality, professional standards and research excellence.

“This award will enhance the profile of an industry steeped in history and achievement.”

Mr Joyce commended and congratulated FAWO for the initiative to celebrate the contribution of men and women to Australia’s wool industry.

“The good times in agriculture have returned, and much of this success is due to those who are tirelessly championing in their industries and regional areas and supporting our national economy,” he said.

“The hard work by all those across the Australian wool Industry contributes not only to individual businesses but flows out to our communities and other industries.”

He encouraged individuals, community organisations, professional bodies and those across the wool industry to nominate extraordinary people from producing to shearing, from education to science, from wool classing to fashion for consideration for these awards.

“I look forward to the Australian Wool Industry Medal awards being announced later this year and to congratulate those who underpin the wool industry’s success and give it the ability to meet the growing global demand for high-value and high-quality wool across the whole chain.”

Nominations are now open to all men and women who have worked in or represented the Australian wool industry and made an exceptional and sustained contribution in the Australian wool industry in one or more of the following categories: production, shearing, wool classing, testing, brokering, market reporting and analysis, administration/regulation services, exporting, processing, education, science, promotion, fashion and other.

The announcement of the inaugural 2017 medal recipients will be made at the Annual Wool Week Dinner in Melbourne on August 24 2017.

Further information and a nomination form can be downloaded at www.fawo.org.au/awards.

Mr Ryan said the initiative is fully supported by FAWO and its members, which include the Australian Council of Wool Exporters and Processors, Australian Wool Exchange, Australian Wool Handlers, Australian Wool Innovation, Australian Wool Testing Authority, The National Council of Wool Selling Brokers of Australia, and WoolProducers Australia.

Source: FAWO.