Some Gippsland charity wool participants in 2019. Source – Elders.

GIPPSLAND wool grower donations are expected to push the region’s contribution to the Helimed Auxiliary past $100,000 next week.

Elders is giving wool growers from the region the opportunity to see two bales of donated wool sold at the National Wool Selling Centre in Melbourne on 19 January.

It will be the first Elders bus trip to see donated wool sold since 2019.

HEMS2 senior team manager, Steve Grove, with Elders’ Mal Nicholls, explained the impact of the wool donations at the 2022 Omeo Show fleece competition in this Elders Facebook post.

Elders district wool manager Madi Gallagher said over the last few years Elders Bairnsdale has facilitated donations of wool from Gippsland wool growers to the Helimed Auxiliary to keep medical equipment updated on the Vic Ambulance Helicopters. This year the value of donations will push past $100,000 dollars, she said.

The wool has come from donated fleece at the annual Omeo Show, with more than 70 fleece donated last year.

About 25 growers on the bus trip from Gippsland will also hear a presentation on progress on Elders $25 million wool handling initiative during the Melbourne visit as well as an AWH facility tour and a talk with buyers.

Madi said the Omeo and Bairnsdale areas rely heavily on Helimed for access to specialist and emergency medical care.