Recipients.

2024 RECIPIENT

Abby is a Wool Technical Officer and Consultant, with a passion for genetic data collection and analysis. As part of her Scholarship, Abby will travel to Italy in January 2025 with Endeavour Wool Exports, to spend time at one of the world’s leading wool textile manufacturers, Reda, going through various aspects of the business, as well as attending a trade fair in Milan.

“This scholarship represents the next crucial step in my development, offering opportunities to establish more connections, enhance personal growth, pursue career objectives and, ultimately, contribute back to those who have supported my journey” 

2024 RECIPIENT

Doug  has had a long-held passion for the sheep and wool industry and sees the great value in our industry that feeds and clothes us in a sustainable manner. Beginning his career as a Jackaroo, Doug has since set up his own sheep pregnancy scanning business which he has grown to now servicing clients across three states of Australia.

“I’d like to make my mark on the industry, and I believe this network is a great place to do that, as well as one day assisting others to do the same.” - Doug

2022 RECIPIENT

Mitch Rubie, who is employed on the family-owned Lachlan Merino Stud at Forbes, also has a Bachelor of Agricultural Business from Charles Sturt University. Mitch has recently started his own classing/Sheep advisory business 'Rubie Livestock Advancement'. This involves classing sheep for clients of Lachlan Merinos and Craig Wilson and Associates as well as developing his own growing client base. 

“I believe it is a once in a lifetime opportunity, to be mentored and to work with industry leaders, in all areas of the sheep and wool industry in Australia.”

2022 RECIPIENT

During his time as a PWS Scholar,  Will spent time with industry professionals and completed short courses on animal health and production and communication skills. 

“Growing up in a family of graziers, securing a head stockman role ignited a strong passion and interest for livestock production and how best practice management can increase production.”

2022 RECIPIENT

Baylee Stapleton is an overseer at Pooginook Merino and Poll near Jerilderie NSW. Baylee is extremely passionate about the industry and helping her clients overcome modern day industry challenges.

“I applied for the Peter Westblade Scholarship because I believe it sets young people up with a range of industry contacts who are passionate about helping to develop career pathways.”

2020 RECIPIENT

Brodie Carpenter hails from Swansea, Tasmania, and has been a full-time shearer for the past three years.

He has been inspired by his father, a farm manager and shearing contractor for 25 years.

Brodie leases a superfine Merino and prime lamb property, and has an ambition to operate the largest shearing contracting business in Tasmania.

2020 RECIPIENT

Murray Smith, of Harden, grew up on a small family farm, finished Year 12 in 2010 and now works with Merino and composite sheep, and cattle at Romani Pastoral Company.

Murray completed a stock and station traineeship working through Victoria, South Australia and the Northern Territory. In 2014, Murray began work at a Poll Dorset stud at Coolac, NSW, helping with embryo transfer programs, artificial insemination, stud sales, breed selection and general sheep husbandry.

Murray intends to use his scholarship win to learn new skills and increase his knowledge of sheep and wool.

2018 RECIPIENT I PWS Committee Member

Anna Cotton, works is assistant manager on the family farm, Kelvedan Estate, in Tasmania. Anna has a Bachelor of Business (Farm Management) at Marcus Oldham College.

Anna used the 12 months to educate herself further through learning from a range of wool enterprises and attending industry events.

Anna followed her wool clip around the world to the woollen mills in Italy which was a fantastic insight through out the whole post farm gate procedure.

2018 RECIPIENT I PWS Chairman

Joe Walden, works at Cavan Station, home of Bogo Merinos, Yass, and is particularly interested in the use of technology to capture data for analysis.

Originally from Braidwood, Joe completed a Certificate IV in Agriculture and wool handling at Tocal Agricultural College. “The scholarship will provide an opportunity to drive my career in the Merino industry, make new connections and gain experience.

2016 RECIPIENT

Emily Carlon is currently Branch Manager and an Animal Production Advisor for Delta Ag in Goulburn region. Emily in conjunction with her husband also runs a successful farm contracting business and merino enterprise.

“I applied for the scholarship with the goal of expanding my skill set and gaining more experience in the sheep and wool industry and it did not disappoint. Along with this, it provided me with pivotal networking opportunities and experiences that helped shape my career within the industry.”

2016 RECIPIENT

Josh Molloy has worked both on and off-farm in the sheep and wool industry since leaving school.

He applied for the scholarship with the expectation of meeting industry leaders and young people with a passion for sheep and wool.

“I would like to learn more about genetics, explore new technology and study the wool processing pipeline from farm to final product’’.

2016 RUNNER UP

Runner-up was Manning Doughty, a manager in a commercial livestock operation at Hay and Hillston.

2014 RECIPIENT I PWS Shadow Chair

Ben is based on a property in Tasmania and is also the Managing Director of Accelerate Ag, an agricultural management and consulting business. Ben has an Agricultural business degree and many years of experience under his belt.

The PWS scholarship gave Ben fantastic exposure to the Merino industry whilst building a network.

Ben also gained insight from breeding values and education he gained through the experience of the scholarship.

2013 RECIPIENT

Annabel is now working on her family property at Hay NSW.

Building networks and exposure to innovation were her key advantages from gaining the scholarship.

2012 RECIPIENT