Elders representatives, from left, Sam Wan, Simon Hogan and Henry West showed Charlotte around the Ravenhall handling centre.

VICTORIAN wool classer Charlotte Cuming has jetted off to Milan Italy as part of a Reda ‘From Sheep to Shop‘ internship.

The 22 year-old is not sure where the trip will lead her in her wool journey, but she said it will be a good chance to understand the entire supply chain.

Andrew Blanch from Renewable Fibres said the internship is a 3-4 month immersion into the world of the high-end wool fabric and products manufacturer, Reda, situated in Valdilana (near Biella), northern Italy. Selected interns from South Africa and New Zealand will join Charlotte in Italy.

As a Marcus Oldham College graduate, Charlotte said she has a keen interest in marketing.

“Growing up in a family of wool growers, I have always recognised the importance of Australian Merino wool to both heritage and its future in global markets.”

This early connection inspired her to pursue a Bachelor of Agriculture at Marcus Oldham college. In recognition of her commitment to the wool industry, Charlotte has also received scholarships for the Wool Education Trust and The Gidleigh Foundation. She has also undertaken work experience placements and employment within the supply chain and has been working as a fully qualified wool classer.

Endeavour Wool’s David Freney, left, and Josh Lamb, with Charlotte Cuming.

AWTA’s David Crowe takes Charlotte through the wool testing process.

Charlotte recently completed a week in Melbourne and Sydney as part of the internship, hosted by Elders, Endeavour Wool Exports, the Australian Wool Exchange, AWTA Ltd, the Australian Council of Wool Exporters and Processors, Australian Wool Innovation/Woolmark and Renewable Fibres. This module covered off the arrival of wool into store, logistics, testing, sustainability and traceability, valuation of wool, the auction and export. This included a deep dive into rural research, processing and product innovation and demand creation for wool globally with Australian Wool Innovation.

“These experiences have strengthened my appreciation for wool as both a premium natural fibre and a driver of innovation and sustainability and traceability”, Charlotte said.

“I am particularly inspired by Reda’s reputation as a vertically integrated company and its dedication to wool.

“This opportunity perfectly aligns with my career ambition to explore value-adding and strategic marketing opportunities for wool within the global fashion and textile industries,” she said.

“I’m hoping that in four months’ time I will have an even deeper understanding of the industry and it will point me in the direction that I see myself in – I see my future is in wool.

“I’m passionate about being involved in anything that delivers value back to growers – that’s the lense that I see everything in the industry through.”

Charlotte with Andrew Blanch from Renewable Fibres.

Charlotte learns about AWI from head of domestic operations Scott Carmody.

Mr Blanch said the Reda Internship has the goal to grow and reinforce the relationship between the Reda Group and the wool grower/wool extension/fashion design community and to create and share knowledge in order to develop young ambassadors for the future.

In Milan, the interns will begin an intensive program of five modules that will take them through the entire wool supply chain including processing, product development, innovation and design, sustainability and environment, and brands.

Charlotte will also be required to undertake an individual project of her choice while working through the modules, and will have her chance to present this project to the Reda management team.

Reda director Fabrizio Botto is the main coordinator and driver of the Sheep to Shop project and sees it as an opportunity to invest in the future of the wool industry.

“We are an established and innovative company, and we promote fresh and cutting-edge products, designs and services.

Charlotte with AWEX CEO Charlie McElhone.

“We need to continue to look towards young people who have diverse and innovative ideas to keep our products relevant, and to entice new talent into our industry”, he said.

“We hope that this internship can incentivise these young, enthusiastic and smart individuals who, in turn, can share gained knowledge and the Reda experience with others when they return to, or begin, their respective careers”.

Mr Blanch said the Reda Internship is open to individuals between the ages of 18 and 30 who are studying, or just recently completed studies. It has also been made available in South Africa and New Zealand where candidates have been chosen to join Charlotte on this 4 month adventure. The trio of interns will be provided with an apartment and a vehicle to share over their time in Italy which gives them total independence and also the flexibility to explore the area.

Applications for the 2027 “From Sheep to Shop” Reda Internship will open in early July 2026. Details will be made available via social media and a number of industry websites including AWI and Reda.