Recipients.

“I applied for a Peter Westblade scholarship because I believe it will benefit me and my career aspirations as it will provide further education, guidance and mentoring in professionally developing my career in the industry” - Austin Grace

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2026 Recipients

Rhiannon Hennessy

2026 RECIPIENT
Rhiannon, a Stock Hand from Harden in NSW, wants to “explore how other industry leaders have incorporated best practice given their unique environmental challenges” to help shape her own practices. She has outlined goals of building on her foundational wool knowledge, exploring current and emerging sheep genetics and experience integrated supply chains and marketing.
“My vision is to continually improve production management and communications, making available the best quality products and ensure the longevity of the sheep and wool industry.” Rhiannon
Tom Davey

2026 RECIPIENT
Tom, a Shearing Contractor from Boorhaman in Victoria, applied to surround himself with “like-minded people and industry professionals” who can help him grow his future career and business. With the scholarship he aims to learn more about sheep selection and classing, further his knowledge of pasture management and stock nutrition and improve his farm business management skills.
“I see a future industry that is more efficient, informed and continuously improving.” - Tom

2025 Recipients

Grace Kaveney

2025 RECIPIENT
“The aim of my PWS application was to seek professional mentorship, skill development and post farm gate exposure within the Sheep and Wool industry. “ - Grace.
Scott Macpherson

2025 RECIPIENT
“I want to improve my skills and knowledge to help further the industry as a whole and help others achieve the full potential of their flock.” - Scott.

2024 Recipients

Abby Byrnes

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”
Doug Caldwell

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

2023 Recipients

Gabbie Horton

2023 RECIPIENT
With an immense passion for the sheep and wool industry, Gabbie’s Scholarship year was heavily focused on gaining a deeper understanding of sheep classing, developing strong industry mentors, and broadening her knowledge of the industry on an international scale.
“With the Scholarship, I more than tripled my Ag network and had the opportunity to travel around Australia and internationally, immersing myself into the sheep and wool industry ‘boots and all’.”
Georgia McMaster

2023 RECIPIENT
Georgia graduated Veterinary Science in Wagga in 2022 and has since had a keen interest in sheep reproduction. This includes Artificial Insemination, Embryo flushing, Embryo Transfer and Semen collection, alongside many other sheep husbandry veterinary services.
“This Scholarship enabled me to literally travel the world. I was able to develop and build on international networks that will help establish Australia’s genetic reputation.”

2022 Recipients

Mitchell Rubie

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.”
William Lyon

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.”
Baylee Stapleton

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.”

2021 Recipients

Rachel Pritchard

2021 RECIPIENT
Third generation on the family farm, Ms Pritchard is currently studying wool classing at Cowra TAFE and has also recently attended a shearing school at Dubbo, to hone her skills with a handpiece.
“I love all aspects of the Merino sheep”
“The Peter Westblade Scholarship is a great opportunity for me to spend time with people in the wool and sheep industry who are pushing the edge of production.”
Austin Grace

2021 RECIPIENT
Austin Grace is passionate about the Merino industry inspired through his family connection to the Demondrille Merino stud at Harden, and furthered during a two-year traineeship at Egelabra Merino stud, Warren.
“I applied for a Peter Westblade scholarship because I believe it will benefit me and my career aspirations as it will provide further education, guidance and mentoring in professionally developing my career in the industry.”

2020 Recipients

Brodie Carpenter

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.
Murray Smith

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.

2019 Recipients

Chloe Dutschke

2019 RECIPIENT I PWS Secretary
Chloe is a self-employed contract musterer- across NSW & South Australia, with a Bachelor of Animal Science at the University of Adelaide. Chloe would use the scholarship to gain experience consulting companies, to understand how they work collaboratively with farmers and other companies to achieve on-property results, build a network within the industry and further develop ideas of a collaborate technology platform.
Brett Stockings

2019 RECIPIENT I PWS Vice-Chairman
Brett Stockings manages sales and marketing of sheep meat for the Middle East and North Africa on behalf of Fletcher International Exports in Dubbo NSW. Brett would use the scholarship to travel and speak and spend time with marketing companies to learn different ideas/techniques of how we can market meat and wool as well as target our audience better through understanding differences in cultures between countries. Brett is keen to strengthen his knowledge in understanding value adding/meal preparation and how catering companies & retailers do there meal, plate costings.

2018 Recipients

Anna Cotton

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.
Joe Walden

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.

2017 Recipients

Rachael Gawne

2017 RECIPIENT I Former PWS Executive Officer
Rachael Gawne, has an Animal Science degree from Charles Sturt University, Wagga, and aspires to empowering producers to make management decisions to benefit flocks and increase returns.
She currently works with sheep industry consultant Sally Martin.
“I am not off a farm but have always had a love for agriculture and when I discovered the sheep industry, that was for me.’’
Rachael said the scholarship would enable her to “soak up’’ information on the sheep and wool industry.
Harrison Mulquiny

2017 RECIPIENT
Harrison Mulquiny, from Wooroonook, Vic, is interested in how different Merino bloodlines perform in varying environmental conditions.
He works on the family farm and helps manage the 500 Merino commercial ewe flock, with a micron average of 19.5 and average fleeceweight of 5.5kg.
“This will give me the opportunity to travel and network with industry members, and investigate new technology on pedigree tracking and genetics.’’

2016 Recipients

Emily Carlon

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.”
Josh Molloy

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’’.
Manning Doughty

2016 RUNNER UP
Runner-up was Manning Doughty, a manager in a commercial livestock operation at Hay and Hillston.

2015 Recipients

Jayden Harris

2015 RECIPIENT
Jayden works for Cousins Merino Services as well as operating Brimanna Poll Merino Stud.
Casey Annetts

2015 RECIPIENT
Casey is currently working for the Commonwealth bank of Australia as a Commercial and Agricultural Analyst. Her team within Regional Agribusiness Banking is responsible for NSW and QLD, and work closely with a team in Parramatta that mirrors our work in other Australian states.
Casey found the scholarship invaluable in terms of being recognised as a young industry leader in the Sheep and Wool Industry, having individuals/ growers/ companies approaching me for my view and input on industry issues.

Ben Patrick

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.
Annabel Lugsdin

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.
Jo Newton

2012 RECIPIENT