Assoc Prof Russell Bush has been appointed by Australian Wool Testing Authority to replace Peter Sommerville.
Russell, whose qualifications include BSc Agr (Hons I), PhD, Grad Cert (Higher Ed), is a lecturer and researcher in Livestock Production at the School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney.
Growing up on mixed grazing and dryland cropping operation, Russell’s degree in Agricultural Science complemented his understanding of the factors influencing product quality for wool, meat and milk. His PhD entitled “The biological and financial impact of ovine Johne’s disease in Australia” further enhanced his academic focus on beef, wool and milk production. Thus, his teaching and research are focused on developing skills and knowledge directly applicable to industry, viz. sustainable, productive and profitable primary production.
The Australian Wool Education Trust (AWET) wishes to advise that Peter Sommerville retired as an AWET Trustee at its August 2026 meeting. The Trustees thank Peter for his contribution to education in the wool industry and wish him all the best for his retirement.
Peter is well known to all of those involved in delivering the education projects funded by the Australian Wool Education Trust (AWET). Since 20026, he has been both a Trustee and the Secretary of AWET. Over those 20 years, he has contributed significantly to “hub and spoke” undergraduate education initiated by AWET through universities active in Agriculture, particularly sheep and wool. In more recent times, Peter has played a pivotal role in AWET expanding its scope by actively engaging with fashion and design schools to encourage their students to experience wool and embrace it as a premier natural fibre. Peter has also been the face of AWET to other education initiatives in sectors such as VET and schools.
AWET is pleased to advise that Dr Russell Bush, Associate Professor at the School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney has been appointed as an AWET Trustee. Russell is well known to the wool industry contributing to both education and research in beef, wool and milk production. AWET welcomes Russell to his new role as a Trustee.
Abbey Freebairn, a 3rd Year Animal Science student at the Adelaide University’s Roseworthy Campus and Ag Institute Australia member was awarded the inaugural Australian Association of Animal Sciences (AAAS) Outstanding Animal Science Student Award on Wednesday, 15th July 2026 at the AAAS Conference held in Adelaide and presented in front of more than 200 peers, new industry colleagues and fellow students.
Sponsored by the Australian Wool Education Trust (AWET), the Outstanding Animal Science Student Award recognises and encourages undergraduate students who have shown exceptional dedication and achievement in the field of animal science. Abbey had a focus and interest in sheep, wool, lamb and ruminant related functions such as nutrition, genetics, health and business. She received $1,000 and a certificate at the conference. See link for more information.
At its meeting with wool academics on Wednesday 15th July 2026, AWET will launch the Tony Street Memorial Scholarship. Brothers Alan, Philip and Geoff Street sought AWET’s assistance to develop a Scholarship that honoured their father’s deep commitment to the sheep and wool industries, and agriculture in general. For more information, go to Tony Street Memorial Scholarship Press Release.
The Trust produces a summary report of its activities each year. These reports are intended to advise the organisations responsible for the appointment of Trustees about the Trust’s activities during the calendar year. However, they are also available to the general public.
From 2003 to 2012 these are based on calendar years. From 2012/13 each report is for the financial year and includes the Report, Financial Statements and Auditors Report.
The 2024-25 report is now available.
In 2024, to enhance their Students’ Work Experience and Careers, AWET initiated grants to tertiary institutions to help fund experiences that will assist their students to become career ready. Each proposal is at the University’s discretion, and it must be wool and/or wool sheep focused.
The grants are designed to give Institutes the opportunity to provide funding to students for practical sheep and/or wool activities. On completion, a statement from the University as to how the funding worked, along with student reflections, is required. The Grants are valued at up to $10,000 per institute. The University must apply to AWET on behalf of its student(s), with applications closing in November of each year.
The Wool Industry Placement Grants for the academic year 2026 were awarded to the following institutions: University of Adelaide, Charles Sturt University, Federation University, Marcus Oldham College, University of Melbourne, Murdoch University and University of Sydney.
Following his death in January 2026, the Australian Wool Education Trust (AWET) would like to acknowledge the enormous contribution of Emeritus Professor James Rowe to the Sheep Co-operative Research Centre (CRC). Prof Rowe was the CEO of the Sheep CRC from it inception in 2001 to its closure in 2019. He was instrumental in cultivating the integrated nature of the CRC’s research, development and adoption. The linkages between the different aspects of sheep production was a hallmark of the CRC. For more information, see this article published in Sheep Central.
Dr Allan De Boos has been appointed by Australian Wool Innovation Ltd to replace Dr Cameron Archer AM PSM as an AWET Trustee.
Allan’s qualifications include BSc in Textile Technology – Chemistry in 1967 from the University of New South Wales. In 1968, he joined CSIRO as a research scientist where he studied the machine washability of wool garments and the finishing of wool and blend fabrics. In his early years at CSIRO, he also completed a PhD at the Victoria University of Manchester (Department of Chemical Physics).
After 34 years at CSIRO, Dr De Boos in 2002 joined AWI with roles including project and program manager and Woolmark technical manager. From 2014 until his retirement in 2024, Dr De Boos developed and delivered the Woolmark Wool Science and Technology program to universities and colleges in China and India. He was appointed a ‘Distinguished Professor’ at Yantai-Nanshan university in Shandong province.
Dr De Boos is highly regarded throughout the global wool industry for his in depth knowledge of wool – from the technical attributes of the wool fibre itself, through the textile manufacturing supply chain to the final garment. He spent most of his career in textiles, but remained cognizant of the work done by Australian woolgrowers to grow their premium fibre.
After 20 years as a Trustee, Dr Cameron Archer AM PSM, founding Board Chair of Primary Industries Education Foundation Australia (PIEFA) and former Principal of Tocal Agricultural Centre, retired from AWET on 11th November 2025.
The Australian Wool Education Trust (AWET) is pleased to announce the funding available to universities for their students who wish to undertake sheep and wool courses offered by the University of New England (UNE) has been reviewed.
Since 2006, AWET has offered subsidies to non-UNE students for wool modules delivered by the UNE. From 2016, the subsidy has been $1,000/student/unit for the first 10 students rising to $1,500/student/unit per institute once student enrolments exceeded 10.
The AWET Trustees agreed that from the 2026 Academic Year, the subsidy will increase to $2,000/student/unit.
Please make your colleagues and students aware of this subsidy, so it can be taken into account when students consider their course options (see https://www.woolwise.com/home/scholarships-and-grants/).
Through Open Learning, the University of New England (UNE) is pleased to offer Short Courses to anyone who is interested expanding their knowledge of the wool industry. The six short courses are:
- Wool Biology and Technology
- Wool Measurement and Technology
- Wool Technology Practical Workshop
- Early Stage Wool Processing
- Late Stage Wool Processing
- Wool Processing Practical Workshop
To obtain more information, please go to the following link: UNE Short Courses in Wool or contact Dr Emma Doyle at e. edoyle3@une.edu.au.