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Centenary Celebrations

July 30, 2019

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

July 25, 2019

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.

Full results from the ASWS in Bendigo

July 22, 2019

Australian Sheep and Wool Show (Bendigo)
19th – 21st July 2019
Judge: Martin Paterson, New Zealand
Associate Judge: Charlotte Walker, Tasmania

Rams
Class	Description	1^st	2^nd	3^rd
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	1^st	2^nd	3^rd
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	1^st	2^nd	3^rd
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 1^st prize	Roxford

Junior Section
Class	Description	1^st
PW40	Beginner Handler	Todd White
PW43	Junior Fleece Judging	Tom Hernon
	Overall winner of Geoffrey A. Kemp Memorial Trophy	Indiana Crone

Healthy competition at Bendigo ASWS

July 27, 2018

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

July 26, 2018

The 180^th Campbell Town show (Tasmania) was held on the 25^th-26^th 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

Polwarth wool attracts Japanese

May 26, 2018

Australia’s largest Polwarth stud based at ‘Streanshalh’ in Tasmania, hosted a group of Japanese wool buyers and industry representatives in early May. The group were interested in Polwarth wool with its soft springy texture and micron of 21-22, for the manufacture of blankets. ‘Streanshalh’ owner, Mrs Judith Nicolson and long time farm manager, Mr Peter Baker organised for the visitors to view fleeces from the recent shearing, as well as, see some of the 5700 strong flock.

‘Streanshalh’ owner, Mrs Judith Nicolson with Japanese wool buyers

Polwarth Round-up May 2018

May 13, 2018

Polwarth Newsletter May 18

Moorabbee ewes and lambs

International interest in Australian Polwarth wool

March 15, 2018

Recently, a representative from Vitale Barberis Canonico, manufacturers of men’s fine wool suits since 1663, visited Fairview Polwarths in Victoria. The company is keen to purchase a quantity of Australian Polwarth wool each year to blend with their finer micron wool. Davide Fontaneto from Vitale Barberis Canonico (VBC) and Andrew Raeber from New England Wool, said the compression quality of Polwarth wool contributes to the quality of their suits. VBC are keen to build a long term relationship with Polwarth breeders to meet their needs in terms of quantity and wool specifications.

L to R: Fairview Polwarths, Kaye and Greg Potter, David Fontaneto (VBC) and Andrew Raeber and David (New England Wool) discuss the type and wool specifications sought by Vitale Barberis Canonico.

Local show season kicks off

March 14, 2018

Narang Polwarths in South Australia have been out and about attending their local shows. At the Tanunda Show held on 10th March they won Champion Ram. A fortnight earlier, Peter and Caroline attended the Angaston Show on 24th February. Their champion ewe who performed well in 2017, won Champion Polwarth Ewe.

Narang Champion Ram at the Tanunda Show with Caroline and judge Sam Edwards of Imperial Partners

Narang Champion Polwarth Ewe at the Angaston Show

Taljar Polwarths – Interbreed success at Royal Adelaide Show

September 15, 2017

Congratulations to Taljar stud (Kangaroo Island) who took out top accolades at this year’s Royal Adelaide Show winning the Supreme Interbreed Long Wool Ram and Reserve Champion Interbreed Long Wool Ewe. Interbreed judge was Gavin Wall from Melbourne.

Statistics for the ram included: age 2 years;
Weight 127kg;
Micron 22.1;
CV 16.6;
SD 4;
CF 99.1;
Eye muscle depth 40;
Width 80;
6mm fat coverage.

Announcement of the Interbreed Champion Longwool Ram

Statistics for the ewe included: age 2.5 years;
Weight 98kg;
Micron 21.6;
CV 16.7;
SD 3.6;
CF 99.3;
Eye muscle depth 42mm;
Width 92mm;
8mm fat coverage.
Ewe had lamb at foot; June drop; weight 37kg.

Taljar’s Interbreed win featured on the front cover of the Stock Journal

Taljar’s Supreme Interbreed Champion Longwool Ram and Reserve Interbreed Interbreed Champion Longwool Ram

Polwarth Association Centenary (1919 to 2019)

Polwarth Sheepbreeders’ Association of Australia

Polwarth Association Centenary
(1919 to 2019)