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)

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).