Wool Industries Australia deputy chairman Michael Jackson with medal winner Dr Kerry Hansford.

AUSTRALIAN wool industry stalwarts have been honoured at the annual Wool Week event in Melbourne.

At the dinner last Thursday, Wool Industries Australia awarded Australian Wool Industry Medals to former Australian Wool Exchange technical projects manager Kerry Hansford, Western Australian buyer and exporter Peter Scanlan and consultant Robert Wang.

Medal panel chair and AWEX chief executive officer Mark Grave said the medals recognize people who have made exceptional contributions in the wool industry.

“There are people who have made massive contributions at every stage, from wool growing, working on farm and in sheds, classing, shearing, right through to broking and of course with exporters, buyers and service providers.”

There have been 37 medallists in the eight years of the award, he said.

Kerry Hansford – standards and compliance

Mr Grave said Dr Kerry Hansford has been recognized for her contribution to standards and compliance services.

“Kerry has had a very extensive and accomplished career in the industry, having worked with the AWC, IWS in the United Kingdom, the CSIRO and of course, with AWEX, and more recently with the Australian Wool Education Trust.”

At CSIRO, Dr Hansford was project leader for raw wool metrology and early stage processing.

“This role involved the development of in-shed high-speed laser technology for fibre diameter measurement,” Mr Grave said.

With the former Federation of Australian Wool Organisations (now WIA) she was the was also the project manager for the national dark fibre scheme, and while with AWEX for about 16 years her notable projects included the National Wool Declaration and the integrity program.

“Kerry has been a source of strength for me, particularly when looking at the wool pack design and standards that have been modified in that time, e-Bale research, and the technology used for e-Bale trialling and implementation,” Mr Grave said.

“Kerry’s legacy is her leadership in the development within the industry and implementation of technical projects with global impact and an uncompromising attention to detail, compliance and integrity.”

Dr Hansford said “for someone who has worked as often under the radar or took a long time to get through, I really appreciate the acknowledgement I have in this award.”

Peter Scanlan – passionate and progressive

Mark Dorrity, right, accepts Peter Scanlan’s wool industry medal award from WIA deputy chairman Michael Jackson.

Mr Grave said Peter Scanlan is recognized for his contribution to the Western Australian wool industry and advocacy for wool.

“Peter has spent a lifetime in buying, selling, marketing and promoting WesternAustralian wool.

He is a long-time advocate of the sustainability, natural wearing qualities and longevity of Australian Merino wool.”

He said Peter created a garment brand called Swoolly, “developing a line of high quality and affordable WA Merino wool clothing.”

“He has been a strong supporter of growers knowing more about their industry and has led multiple client tours to China and more recently India so that they might receive a first-hand and better understanding of where their wool goes and how it is processed, and the issue their customers face.”

“Peter has been a quiet achiever, but throughout his life-long career he is widely recognized in WA for his positive impact on the WA wool industry,” Mr Grave said.

Peter Scanlan’s close friend Mark Dorrity accepted the award on his behalf in Melbourne and thanked AWIS for awarding the medal.

“The Scanlan family truly appreciates the recognition,” he said.

“I would also like to make a big shout out to those wool growers that actually nominated him.”

Mr Dorrity said he has known Peter Scanlan for more than 30 years and he described him as passionate and progressive.

“He loved the wool fibre.”

Mr Dorrity said Peter Scanlan has had the support of wool growers since he started his business in 1986, and always encouraged them to continue with wool.

“He was always keen to educate the wool grower, his wool-growing family anyway.”

Mr Dorrity said Peter Scanlan believed WA wool could process as well as wool from the eastern states and with the help of Australian Wool Innovation, Swoolly was born.

Robert Wang – a unique set of skills

Robert Wang accepts his wool industry medal from WIA deputy chairman Michael Jackson.

Mr Grave said Robert Wang is recognised for his contribution to international trade relations.

“Robert has had a long career in the industry, commencing with the AWC (Australian Wool Corporation) in the international market development division.

Mr Grave said Mr Wang’s unique set of skills include translation and his professionalism.

“He recognized the importance of international trade, especially China’s increasing impact on the global wool industry and his unique understanding of all facets of the trade, testing and wool processing.

“Robert’s linguistic skills are recognized globally and through his employment with AWTA he acted as an interpreter and translator for IWTO, Nanjing Wool Conference, many Australian companies and organisations and many Chinese delegations,” Mr Grave said.

“Robert was a key drive of what now is the popular wool trading seminar which follows the annual Nanjing Wool Conference,” he said.

“Robert has been and remains, a willing contributor to the global wool industry and his talent, personal demeanor, and ability to cut through either one-on-one or with large audiences has earned him the respect of his peers.”

Mr Grave said Robert Wang leaves a lasting legacy in international trade relations.

Mr Wang said he is very humbled and thrilled to receive this recognition.

He said he was grateful that his 30-year involvement and contribution in the wool industry — in particular between Australia and China — has been recognized.

Mr Grave also recognised the efforts of the other award panel members Rowan Woods, Josh Lamb, Jo Hall and Geoff Power, and Donna Robinson at the Australian Wool Industries Secretariat.