WOOL is entwined in the history of one of SA’s most iconic pastoral properties, Anlaby Station, at Kapunda.
Not only is the home of Australia’s oldest mainland Merino stud still growing the fibre 177 years later, it is producing luxurious wool products.
Custodians Andrew Morphett and Peter Hayward are just the fourth owners and have a thriving business value-adding their Merino wool. Their throws, wraps, child’s blankets and scarves are valuable keepsakes and gifts.
The Anlaby story began with NSW pastoralist Frederick Dutton, who put together an expedition in 1839 to overland sheep from Goulburn, NSW, to the Adelaide markets. At the time, the market in SA’s new colony was more buoyant than those in Vic and NSW.
Alexander Buchanan, who had recently arrived from Canada, set off with a mob of 18,000 sheep including 5000 of Mr Dutton’s. Nine months later they arrived at Anlaby, finding natural grasses and water where they set up camp. The SA market had collapsed but the Duttons stayed on.
It was the start of a pastoral empire built by Frederick and later his nephew Henry.
In its hey day Anlaby sprawled across 65,000 hectares running 60,000 to 70,000 sheep. The flock was the foundation for many iconic Merino bloodlines, including Bungaree.
Anlaby was subdivided in 1978 and large chunks of land sold off. At the same time, the flock was sold to a neighbour. Soon after buying Anlaby in 2004, Mr Morphett and Mr Hayward bought the sheep back.
But after receiving $8-$9 a kilogram for fleece wool at auction they realised they needed another way.
“We recognised wool was a beautiful fibre and not many people had the story we had to tell,” he said.
The fleece wool from their 500 Merino ewes goes into Anlaby products. The 19-20 micron wool is washed at Michell Wool, Salisbury, made into tops at Bacchus Marsh, Vic, and then spun and woven at Waverley Woollen Mill, Tas.
A local seamstress adds beautiful William Morris patterned material as edging to their throws. Another local lady packages all the products.
“It is not just about us. There is a ripple effect in the community,” he said.
