NCWSBA president Alistair Calvert, left, with the NCWSBA Young Wool Broker of the Year Jack Finch.

NEW South Wales wool broker Jack Finch was crowned the 2026 National Council of Wool Selling Brokers of Australia Young Wool Broker of the Year last week.

The wool and livestock representative with Schute Bell Badgery Lumby’s at Goulburn won out against two other finalists, Kate Methven from Elders and Tom Simmonds from AWN.

The winner of the competition traditionally wins a sponsored trip to the next International Wool Textile Organisation’s next conference, but this year NCWSBA president Alistair Calvert said the council would break from tradition because of the quality of the finalists.

He said the council, with the support of the candidate’s companies, decided every candidate deserved support to go to the next IWTO Congress in South Africa next year.

Mr Calvert said there were three worthy finalists in the 2026 award — Jack Finch, Kate Methven from Elders and Tom Simmonds from AWN. He congratulated the finalalists and recognised the support of their employers.

“To be selected as a finalist is a significant achievement in itself and reflects the regard in which you are held in your businesses, the clients and the broader industry.”

Mr Calvert said it was encouraging to see the quality of the candidates in the annual award was being maintained.

He said the award recognized the next generation of talent coming through the industry.

“The young brokers who are building their knowledge, supporting clients and demonstrating professionalism and commitment that is so important for the future of the Australian industry.”

Mr Calvert said it was worth mentioning that none of this year’s finalists were born into the industry.

“Two of the three came from non-farming backgrounds and one certainly came from a farming background, but not sheep and wool.

“I think that’s a testament to them, but also a reflection on our industry that we have attracted three such quality candidates from outside (the) industry.”

Mr Calvert said Jack displayed a strong passion for the wool industry, for striving to help his customers continually improve their wool enterprises.

“Well done, you’re a worthy recipient.”

Jack thanked all those involved with the award and said it was good to see where things were heading in the industry.

Although he was Sydney born and bred, Jack said his father’s side of the family had a vineyard at Forbes and he had always been encouraged to get out of Sydney and seek opportunities in the bush.

“He (my father) never got to live that.”

Jack said his strong point in his current position was auctioning wool weekly at the Yennora Wool Centre, but he also enjoyed travelling across the state.

“No two days are the same, I could be in Sydney one day and Bourke the next then Wagga – I do travel.

“With the tools that Robert Ryan and Gerard Buchanan have given me there is no set area; you get business wherever and you do what can to help whoever you can,” he said.

Schute Bell Badgery Lumby’s Sydney manager Gerard Buchanan said Jack has developed a genuine passion for the sheep and wool industry despite growing up in Sydney.

“Throughout the last four years that he has worked with us, he has taken every opportunity to deepen his knowledge and understanding about the industry.

“Jack is incredibly passionate and that passion has grown into a strong commitment for a career in wool broking with the key purpose of being a better advisor to wool growers,” he said in a statement with Jack’s entry.

“Jack also continuously shows a willingness to share his gained knowledge with students and those new to the industry.

“Above all, Jack is driven by a desire to improve the profitability and long term success of our clients,” he said.

“His enthusiasm, passion, professionalism and commitment to continuous improvement make him an outstanding candidate.”