Newsletter – November 2020
Newsletter – August 2020
Newsletter – April 2020
Centenary Celebrations
2019 marked the centenary year of the Polwarth Sheep Breeders Association of Australia. Today, a small group of passionate breeders around Australia carry on the tradition of Polwarth sheep.
To mark the occasion, a Centenary Afternoon Tea was held on Saturday 20th July 2019 at the Australian Sheep and Wool Show where some 90 past and current members and friends celebrated the longevity of the association.
We were joined by international guests, including judge Martin Paterson from Matakanui Station in New Zealand and Joaquin Martinicorena, Fernando Martinicorena and Alejandro Clavier from Uruguay, representing the Ideal Association of Uruguay.
Highlights from the afternoon tea included presentations from:
- Joaquin, Fernando and Alexander about Polwarth sheep in Uruguay known as ‘Ideals’.
- Martin Paterson about Matakanui Polwarths and his involvement in the New Zealand wool industry.
- Sixth generation Dennis family brothers, Tom and Alastair Dennis from Tarndwarncoort, the association’s number one flock.
- Life-membership presentations to Douglas Hopkins (Challicum) and Don Smith (Kingswood Park)
Minute Books dating back to the start of the Association plus other memorabilia were on display for visitors to look at.
A presentation by international guests, Joaquin and Fernando Martinicorena gave guests a great insight into the sheep industry in Uruguay.
New Zealand international judge, Martin Paterson spoke to the audience about Matakanui Polwarths and the industry in New Zealand.
Joaquin Martinicorena presents Polwarth President Greg Potter with a silver tray from the Uruguayan Ideal Association congratulating the association on its first 100 years.
Sixth generation Dennis family brothers Tom and Alastair spoke to the gathering about Tarndwarncoort, the association’s No. 1 flock.
Douglas Hopkins from the Challicum Polwarth Stud was awarded a life membership.
Don Smith from Kingswood Park Polwarths was also awarded a life membership.
Following the official presentations, guests enjoyed the opportunity to catch up.
Riverview and Taljar take home major prizes from ASWS
The Polwarth Association celebrated our Feature Breed status at the Australian Sheep and Wool Show with:
- The highest number of sheep entries in recent years
- An international judge from New Zealand
- International visitors from Uruguay
- The Supreme Champion Polwarth award going to Tasmania
Some 70 entries came from eight studs including Catherine McAuley College (Bendigo), Fairview (Colac), Homeleigh (Merton), Moorabee (Emu Creek), Rendlesham at Fairview (Colac), Riverview (Gretna, TAS), Taljade (Kangaroo Island) and Taljar (Kangaroo Island).
Martin Paterson from Matakanui Station in New Zealand had the difficult job of judging some high quality classes. Matakanui is a large scale operation running some 19,000 Polwarth sheep. More information can be found at http://www.matakanui.co.nz/about. Working alongside Martin in an Associate Judge role was Charlotte Walker from Tasmania. This experience provided an opportunity for Charlotte to extend her knowledge and skills in the judging circle.
We were honoured to have three members from the Ideal (Polwarth) Society of Uruguay make the journey to Australia to help celebrate the Association’s Centenary (1919-2019). Brothers, Joaquin and Fernando Martinicorena and Alejandro Clavier presented beautiful handmade sashes to the Grand Champion Ewe (won by Taljar) and Grand Champion Ram (won by Riverview).
Supreme Champion Polwarth from Riverview (Tasmania) with judge Martin Paterson, stud principal Wayne Walker and Associate Judge Charlotte Walker.
Supreme Champion Polwarth exhibit with breeder Wayne Walker from Riverview stud (Tasmania).
Wayne Walker from Riverview (Tasmania) is congratulated by Fernando Martinicorena (Uruguay) after winning the Grand Champion Ram.
The Grand Champion Ewe from Taljar (Kangaroo Island) is pictured from L to R with Alejandro Clavier, Joaquin Martinicorena, David McArdle, Jared McArdle and Fernando Martinicorena.
David McArdle of Taljar (Kangaroo Island) with his Grand Champion Ewe.
Senior Judge, Martin Paterson from New Zealand judging the Ewe, 1.5 to 2.5 years class.
Associate Judge, Charlotte Walker is pictured presenting a sash to Riverview stud principal Wayne Walker.
Results – ASWS in Bendigo
Australian Sheep and Wool Show (Bendigo)
19th – 21st July 2019
Judge: Martin Paterson, New Zealand
Associate Judge: Charlotte Walker, Tasmania
| Rams | ||||
| Class | Description | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
| PW01 | Ram, over 2½ years | Riverview | Rendlesham at Fairview | Fairview |
| PW02 | Ram, over 1½ & under 2½ years Performance class | Taljar | Moorabbee and Riverview | Riverview |
| PW03 | Ram, over 1½ and under 2½ years, March shorn | Fairview | Moorabbee | – |
| PW04 | Ram, under 1½ years showing a full mouth of milk teeth | Fairview | Taljar | Fairview |
| PW05 | Ram, under 1½ years | Taljar | Taljar | Taljar |
| PW06 | Ram with best head | Fairview | – | – |
| Ewes | ||||
| Class | Description | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
| PW07 | Ewe, over 2½ years | Riverview | Catherine McAuley College | Taljar |
| PW08 | Ewe, over 1½ & under 2½ years | Taljar | Taljar | Riverview |
| PW09 | Ewe, over 1½ and under 2½ years March shorn | – | – | – |
| PW10 | Ewe, under 1½ years showing a full mouth of milk teeth | Fairview | Fairview | Taljar |
| PW11 | Ewe, under 1½ years | Taljar | Taljar | – |
| Groups | ||||
| Class | Description | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
| PW12 | Group of 1 ram and 2 ewes over 1½ years bred by exhibitor | Riverview | – | – |
| PW | Group of 1 ram and 2 ewes under 1½ years bred by exhibitor | – | – | – |
| PW13 | Progeny group of 3 sheep bred by exhibitor | Taljar | – | – |
| PW14 | National Polwarth pair (Ram and ewe of any age bred by exhibitor) | Riverview | – | – |
| Champions | ||
| Class | Description | Recipient |
| PW15S | Junior Champion Ram | Taljar |
| PW16S | Reserve Junior Champion Ram | Taljar |
| PW17S | Senior Champion Ram | Riverview |
| PW18S | Reserve Senior Champion Ram | Fairview |
| PW19S | Victorian Champion Bred Ram | Fairview |
| PW20S | Grand Champion Ram | Riverview |
| PW21S | Junior Champion Ewe | Taljar |
| PW22S | Reserve Junior Champion Ewe | Fairview |
| PW23S | Senior Champion Ewe | Taljar |
| PW24S | Reserve Senior Champion Ewe | Riverview |
| PW25S | Victorian Champion Bred Ewe | Catherine McAuley College |
| PW26S | Grand Champion Ewe | Taljar |
| PW27S | Supreme Champion Polwarth (Ewe or Ram) | Riverview Ram |
| PW28S | Most Successful Exhibitor | Taljar |
| Fleece Competition | |
| Champion Polwarth Exhibit | Riverview |
| Highly Commended | Challicum |
| Ram fleece 1st prize | Roxford |
| Junior Section | ||||
| Class | Description | 1st | ||
| PW40 | Beginner Handler | Todd White | ||
| PW43 | Junior Fleece Judging | Tom Hernon | ||
| Overall winner of Geoffrey A. Kemp Memorial Trophy | Indiana Crone | |||
Newsletter – December 2018
Healthy competition at Bendigo ASWS
At the Australian Sheep and Wool Show held in Bendigo from 20th-22nd July, a quality line-up of Polwarth sheep produced healthy competition among exhibitors. The breed was represented by Catherine McAuley College, Fairview, Moorabbee, Riverview (Tasmania) and Taljar (Kangaroo Island). Judge, Geoff Risbey awarded Supreme Champion Polwarth to Fairview Henry with Taljar taking out Grand Champion Ewe. Riverview won the National Polwarth pair, as well as, Champion Polwarth fleece. Moorabbee featured in the fleece competition winning the Most Valuable Commercial Fleece (Group of 5) section. Some seventeen students from Catherine McAuley College participated in the Junior Fleece Judging section and Junior Handler section. The overall winner of the junior sections, Will Cole, was awarded the inaugural Geoffrey A. Kemp Memorial Trophy.
Supreme Champion Polwarth, Fairview Henry with from left, Greg Potter(Fairview), Geoff Risbey (Judge), Judith Nicolson (Sponsor of Class) and Fairview Stud Master, Sam Potter.
Taljar Junior Champion and Grand Champion Ewe with Catherine McAuley College student and Taljar’s Jared McArdle.
Wayne Walker of Riverview with his Senior Champion Ewe.
Junior Handler section placegetters were 1st Chloe Holmes, 2nd Joel Renton-Keen and 3rd Xav Cole.
Following the Junior Fleece Judging section the overall winner was Will Cole who won the Geoffrey A. Kemp Memorial Trophy, 2nd Jack McDougall and 3rd Connor Pearson
Polwarths and weather shines at 180th Campbell Town Show
The 180th Campbell Town show (Tasmania) was held on the 25th-26th May on two sunny days with good attendance. Sheep exhibits were down on past years, however it was pleasing to see our Polwarth section attended by Rendelsham (Estate of the late Andrew Nicolson) and Riverview (Wayne and Maxine Walker) studs.
Despite numbers being low, Noel Littlejohn did not have an easy task judging. The quality and preparedness of the sheep shown was excellent. Rendlesham won the ribbon in the 2 ½ year ram class and then went on to take out the Supreme Champion Polwarth sheep.
Wayne Walker & family won the Champion ewe section (under 1 ½ years) with a very stylish ewe. In the fleece section, Rendlesham won Champion Polwarth fleece and also Group of Three. Well done to the above studs for exhibiting and doing the breed proud.
It was indeed a surprise to have our Federal President attend. Thank you Greg for coming over, great to see you and have you join with us for our annual get together at Zep’s restaurant after the show.
Overall the show committee were pleased with this year’s event. Sadly the showing in the Merino section was down on past years. Had it not been for three studs from Victoria coming across, this section would have been quite low. Now looking forward to seeing the Polwarth’s at this year’s Bendigo Show. Onwards and upwards!!!
Ken Arnold, Life Member of Polwarth Association
Rendlesham wins the Supreme Champion Polwarth with handler Brooke McDonald, Judith Nicolson and stud master Peter Baker.
Riverview’s Charlotte Walker took out first place with a stylish ewe in the under 1.5 years ewe section
Rendlesham handler Brooke McDonald with Polwarth judge, Noel Littlejohn
