On the weekend 8th and 9th of April, members of the Polwarth Sheepbreeders Association gathered for a social get-together.
The weekend was hosted by Tarndwarncoort Polwarths and Fairview Polwarths near Colac. Members travelled from Tasmania, New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria for the weekend.
On Saturday we visited Tarndie where the Polwarth breed began in 1936. We took a short walk around the property, finishing in the wool shed where we discussed the management of the flock and inspected some sheep and fleeces. The Dennis family market Polwarth wool directly though their Farmgate Woolshop. We enjoyed soaking up the history and browsing through the wool shop.
https://tarndie.com/
Most members took advantage of the opportunity to stay overnight in the historic Tarndwarncoort Homestead. On Saturday evening we enjoyed a delicious two course meal at Tarndie in the Ciderhouse. A highlight of the evening were guest speakers Alistair Calvert, State Wool Manager for Roberts Limited in Tasmania and Chris Kelly, Managing Director of Australian Merino Exports Pty Ltd. Alistair and Chris spoke about the recent and prospective demand for Polwarth wool overseas and provided the association with 'food for thought' in terms of future direction. Special thanks to Judith Nicolson for organising Alistair and Chris.
On Sunday morning, members travelled over to Fairview Polwarths where we started with a General Meeting. This was a goo d opportunity to discuss a number of agenda items including preparation for the Bendigo Sheep Show in July. Members then headed off down to the Fairview shearing shed to have lunch and view some sheep. Unfortunately, the day was somewhat spoilt by torrential rain and gale force winds. The autumn break had arrived
with a vengeance, putting 48mm in the rain gauge.
www.fairviewpolwarths.com.au
Farm walk at Tarndawarncoort
Around the wool table at Tarndawarncoort
In the Fairview Shed
Inspecting sheep at Fairview
Inspecting sheep at Fairview
