WITH a woman at the helm for the first time in its history, entry numbers have continued to rise at the Australian Sheep and Wool Show at Bendigo.
Celebrating her first event as the newly appointed ASWS chief executive, Margot Falconer said this year’s show had attracted more than 2900 sheep entries for the sheep and goat show, capped 500 fleece entries and nearly 300 Woolcraft entries - all up on the last five years.
Ms Falconer was appointed to the top position in December and has since been behind the revamping of the show’s website and ticketing system.
The former Bendigo Advertiser general manager brings 16 years of business, marketing and community-building skills to the role.
Ms Falconer said her attraction to the position was due to the major $12 million contribution the event had on the local economy, as well as the broader sheep industry.
Her immediate goal is to “freshen up tired old ideas” and increase sponsorship, site numbers and sheep entries.
“(The event’s) role is to bring people to watch and learn - forget just the farmers – you need Australians to know how important the industry is,” she said.
“ASWS to a lot of people says ‘sheep and wool’ but if we can teach people that are not sheep breeders more about the industry, which is the backbone of our country, then we would be doing a good job.”
Now in its 139th year, Ms Falconer has no concerns about being the first woman to take on the most senior position at the world’s premier sheep showing event.
“It is good to be a woman in this job because multi-tasking is part of the position,” she said. “I’ve been the first woman so many times in my life … all it does is make it easier for young women behind me and in 2016 it shouldn’t be first.”
Her early ambitions are set on growing the show, which would be achieved through education and attracting keynote speakers to entice young people into agricultural careers, as well as providing specialist seminars to breeders.
“First we educate ourselves on what sheep breeders need to do to keep growing and then we introduce specialist help so it is no longer just a get-together to show sheep, but somewhere you come and learn,” she said.
“If you come home with one new thing that you can put into practice to grow your business – then this (event) is a success.”
This emphasis on education will be delivered this year during a Q&A session with New Zealand’s Lincoln University associate professor of animal breeding and genetics Jon Hickford.
Annabelle Cleeland
Annabelle Cleeland is Fairfax Media’s national sheep and wool writer. Annabelle joined the Fairfax team in 2012 to nurture her love of Australian agriculture. She began as the Victorian western district reporter at Stock & Land before taking on a senior position as a journalist reporting on all industries statewide. Annabelle’s appetite to report on issues which affect the sheep and wool industry has seen her travel to many parts of Australia and abroad. She is excited to spin industry yarns during a period of substantial demand for the sheepmeat and wool industries. Annabelle enjoys horse riding and climbing mountains, and is a lazy supporter of the Geelong Football Club.
Annabelle Cleeland is Fairfax Media’s national sheep and wool writer. Annabelle joined the Fairfax team in 2012 to nurture her love of Australian agriculture. She began as the Victorian western district reporter at Stock & Land before taking on a senior position as a journalist reporting on all industries statewide. Annabelle’s appetite to report on issues which affect the sheep and wool industry has seen her travel to many parts of Australia and abroad. She is excited to spin industry yarns during a period of substantial demand for the sheepmeat and wool industries. Annabelle enjoys horse riding and climbing mountains, and is a lazy supporter of the Geelong Football Club.
