Keep abreast of the International Wool Textile Organisation’s activities via the IWTO CHANNEL on YouTube.
From sheep to shop, IWTO represents the interests of the global wool trade.
IWTO also is the global authority for standards in the wool textile industry.
IWTO’s 33 members are based in 23 countries around the world, and represent all stages of the wool textile pipeline, from farm to retail. Through scientific research, wool textile education and knowledge sharing, IWTO ensures a sustainable future for wool.
More information from IWTO is available on its WEBSITE
Biosecurity and traceability is a high priority for the Australian wool industry.
Australia has clearly defined emergency animal disease response plans and strong governance arrangements that ensure preparedness in the event of a biosecurity incursion. To be ‘world-leading’ implies constant improvement, and the Australian wool industry is actively investing to maintain the highest possible standards.
The Australian wool industry also has a comprehensive system for tracing wool back to where it was grown and harvested. While this meets our needs and the needs of our trading partners, efforts to enhance and future- proof our systems are underway.
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 2020-21 report is now available.
Ms Brenda McGahan has been nominated by WIA as a Trustee for AWET.
The Australian Wool Education Trust is administered by 5 Trustees, 2 appointed by the Australian Wool Testing Authority Ltd (AWTA Ltd), 2 appointed by Australian Wool Innovation Ltd (AWI) and since September 2019 by Wool Industries Australia Inc (WIA), formerly the Federation of Australian Wool Organisations (FAWO).
Mr John Lewis was appointed by FAWO in 2012 and commenced his service on 29th October. John has extensive industry experience in the processing and trading sector, to the benefit of AWET during his tenure. John has stepped down from his position, taking effect on 24th August, 2021.
WIA nominated Ms Brenda McGahan as Mr Lewis’s replacement. Brenda also has extensive industry experience being a non-executive director with experience across agriculture, healthcare, retail and marketing. This included a stint as Executive Director of The Woolmark Company, CEO of Australian Wool Innovation and and CEO of Australian Country Spinners.
Brenda will formally assume her new roll on 16th November, 2021.
Applications are open for RASF Vocational Education and Training (VET) Scholarships, for study at registered VET institutions including TAFE and College courses on campus and via distance/online learning.
VET Scholarships support students with a passion for rural life and a determination to play a role in the success of rural and regional NSW.
Scholarships of up to $6,000 for full-time study and up to $3,000 for part-time study are available for those studying everything from child care to metal fabrication.
A VET scholarship will help ease financial pressure and allow you to focus on your studies – so apply today.
Applications close 6 February 2022.
Contacts:
Cecilia Logan
Manager RAS Foundation
02 9704 1226
Emma Duffy
Program Manager – Scholarships & Grants
02 9704 1234
Update
As of 4:00 pm Tuesday, 21st September this problem was resolved. It affected those who registered in 2019 or earlier.
Problem accessing Wool and Sheep Module files
Due to technical issues the files in the Wool and Sheep modules area of the website ( wool and sheep modules ) cannot be accessed by Members or Educators. The issue is being addressed and a notice will be posted once it has been resolved.
Our apologies for any inconvenience.
RAS Foundation rural scholarship application deadline is approaching.
Applications for a RAS Foundation Rural Scholarship close on 5 September 2021.
The RASF encourages applications from students in NSW including the ACT, who demonstrate a passion for rural communities and commitment for a career that will play a part in shaping the future of rural and regional NSW.
Scholarships of up to $6,000 for full-time or up to $3,000 for part-time study are available to help ease the financial pressure of studying. There is no age limit for applicants and you can be studying at university, TAFE or college, and can be on campus or via distance education.
Sheep Producers Australia (SPA) is the Peak National Industry Body for the Australian Sheep Meat Industry. Based in Canberra, our purpose is to be a strategic leader working to benefit Australia’s sheep industry to achieve a productive, profitable, and sustainable future.
SPA’s vision is to be a trusted influencer, leader and advisor for Australian sheep producers, industry, and government. SPA is governed by a skills-based board, comprised of a minimum of four and maximum of seven member-elected Board Directors and up to two Board-appointed Independent Directors.
SPA is seeking to appoint an Independent Chair of the Board at SPA’s Annual General Meeting in November 2021, following the expiration of the term of SPA’s inaugural Chair.
“The position of Independent Chair of SPA is a challenging and rewarding senior national leadership role. Ultimately responsible to its Members, SPA’s role is to provide national sheep industry leadership, policy, and advocacy.” Chris Mirams Independent Chair.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time contributing to the sheep industry as the Chair of SPA and would strongly encourage suitably experienced and qualified individuals, who are passionate about the red meat industry and want to make a difference, to apply for this position.” Mr Mirams.
SPA is also currently recruiting for two Board Director positions. Working with the new Policy Council, Directors will be in a position to advocate for the sheep meat sector, whilst providing the Governance oversight required for the organisation to perform an essential role.
“Directors of SPA play a vital role in ensuring the organisation is professional and efficient, capable of retaining the trust of all stakeholders in providing the best advice on both policy matters and the direction of levy expenditure.” Stephen Crisp SPA CEO.
Applications close 11.59pm Sunday 22 August 2021 AEST
Details on how to apply for the role of Independent Chair are here and the Director Positions are here.
Media Inquiries
Stephen Crisp
SPA Chief Executive Officer
Mobile 0455 999 130
The 34th Conference of the Australian Association of Animal Sciences is scheduled for Tuesday 5th July to Thursday 7th July 2022 in Cairns, Queensland.
The Association, together with CSIRO Publishing, will prepare a special edition of Animal Production Science to be distributed following the 34th Biennial Conference.
The umbrella conference theme is ‘Anchoring knowledge – exploring the animal science ecosystem’.
The Animal Science 2022 Publications Committee have already assessed submitted abstracts under this umbrella and a limited number of authors have been invited to prepare a full six-page paper. Authors who were unsuccessful in the round are invited to contribute one-page papers which will be published online in a supplement accompanying the special edition.
Sub-themes include:
- Cutting edge and novel science– tell us what you’re working on that’s new & exciting!
- Novel technologies– research tools and on-ground applications (e.g. remote sensing, on-animal sensors, new lab tools & techniques)
- Challenges to production, survival and sustainability– climate change, animal health & biosecurity, conservation of wildlife, nutrition, reproduction
- Social license– animal behaviour & welfare, impacts of animals on the environment, changing consumer demands & preferences
- Creating impact– measuring adoption, economic impacts, extension approaches
Instructions and relevant documents are available from the Conference Website.
Textile rating tools of the future must include responsible fibre consumption and be built on robust data or they will be blamed for causing more harm, instead of solving our current dilemmas.
IWTO, together with industry partners are building a campaign to raise awareness of the flaws in the current EU PEF method and ensure a level playing field for all fibres, based on true scientific facts.
View YouTube video from the IWTOCHANNEL