A WOOL bale branded High Country Merino and weighing 149 kilograms was auctioned in Melbourne last Thursday, achieving 5888 cents/kg thanks to the generosity of wool buyers.
While the final bid was an outstanding amount, the generosity was not confined to that single instant.
The fleeces in the bale, many of them prize-winning, were donated by wool growers of the Omeo and Benambra district and the auction proceeds will go to the Michael John Manion Foundation, set up to assist rural people and communities in need.
The bale was bought by wool buyer, Jim Michell of Sentdale Pty Ltd; since the sale, Mr Michell has donated the fleeces to Len Tenace of Masural for half the price of purchase. Both Mr Michell and Mr Tenace are directors of the Michael Manion Foundation.
"I really don't have any use for the fleeces among my customers, but Masural use this wool, so I thought I would give them the bale," Mr Michell said.
"They offered to pay half the amount I bid. My efforts are minimal compared to what Elders and the wool growers did so I showed my
appreciation to them by paying over the odds for the bale of wool.
"It would be good to get other growers and wool organisations to follow their lead."
Elders wool district manager, Mal Nicholls, approached the high country wool growers during shearing season last year and more than 30 fleeces were donated to make up the bale. A number of farmers from Omeo district were at the auction yesterday.
"I have been overwhelmed with the generosity that has seen this bale of 149kg of typical Gippsland high country wool sold," Mr Nicholls said.
"The support, firstly from our clients the woolgrowers and then by the wool buyers has been fantastic and has seen a great start to this foundation.
"We hope this contribution will assist in bringing the buyers and growers closer together as well as someone in need."
There were about 60 people present for the auction.
