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ASWGA Fleece Competition Results 2015-2016

Ballyrogan Growers Take Out the 2016 ASWGA Fleece Competition

The 2016 Cleckheaton Grand Champion Trophy for the best superfine fleece in the Australian Superfine Wool Growers Association annual competition has been awarded to Ararat superfine wool producers Russell and Penny Hartwich from “Kelseldale”, Ballyrogan.  They beat Paul Jones and Kim Price from the Mudgee Region by just 0.1 of a point with Ed and Jill Hundy, also Mudgee wool growers, an equally close third. It was a big night for the Hartwich’s as they also took out both the 74’s the 80’s Classes and were the Ararat/Barunah Region winners.

Glenara Merinos from Hamilton were also amongst the honours with a very stylish fleece that won the 90’s Class and was the Hamilton Region winner.

 This year’s competition had received over 100 entries. However the judges’ decision was a popular one and a tribute to the many years of careful breeding and constant husbandry the “Kelseldale” flock receives.  The Hartwich’s, along with Russell’s parents travelled to Tasmania to attend the 2016 Australian Superfine Wool Growers Association Conference and to be on hand at the presentation dinner.

Penny and Russell Hartwich with Brenda McGahan, CEO Australian Country Spinners

The complete list of winners:

Russell & Penny Hartwich of Kelseldale, Ballyrogan, Victoria, the Cleckheaton Grand Champion Fleece Trophy, Class 80’s and Class 74’s and first in the Ararat/Barunah region.

Trevor & Kathy Mibus of “Glenara Merinos” Hamilton, Victoria, the Class 90’s and Finer and first in the Hamilton Region.

Mark & Lesleann Waters of “Riverton”, Armidale NSW, the Class 70’s and first in the New England region.

Ian & Margaret Humphry of “Avondale” in Springhurst, Victoria, first in the Albury/Wodonga region.

Danny & Megan Picker of “Summer Hill” in Bigga, NSW, first in the Goulburn/Yass Region.

Paul Jones & Kim Price of “Lyneside”, Bathurst, NSW, first in the Mudgee Region

Allan & Carolyn Phillips of “Glen Stuart” Deddington, Tasmania, first in the Tasmanian Region.

James & Faye Pepper of “Mumballview”, Mumballup, Western Australia, first in the West