There are three generations of wool growers involved in the Robbins’ family farm at Meerlieu – Peter and Judith Robbins, their daughter Nicolle and grandson Angus Roberts.
Their premium fibre was recently recognised by the Australian Wool Innovation and Australian Football League Fibre to Football program – their fleece was used to make this season’s Collingwood Football Club playing jumpers.
For Peter, a wool grower of 64 years, it was a thrill – he has been a Collingwood fan all his life, influenced by his grandparents.
“My grandparents on my mother’s side lived in Gillies Street, Fairfield – that was Collingwood country,” he said.
“If you lived there you had to barrack for Collingwood.”
As a young man, he embraced a life of growing wool, managing farms and working on his parents’ property before taking ownership 30 years ago.
While he can shear a sheep, he prefers to use his skill as an owner-classer to turn out a premium skirted clip.
“I’ve always liked shearing, to see the wool come off the sheep. It really is a magnificent fibre,” Peter said.
“And I say to people, the problem with wool is it doesn’t wear out.
“I say to them, you got a jumper, a good wool jumper? How long you had it?’
“‘I bought it about 20 years ago.’
“That’d be right, it won’t wear out.
“It’s a beautiful fibre to handle.”
Angus and his mother, Nicolle, are also integral members of the farm – Nicolle is full time, Angus spends as much time as possible working on the farm, when he is not at school.
Nicolle is responsible for stock management and is also a wool classer, working alongside her father skirting the fleece.
“I’m not allowed to step into the sheep yards, in case I get knocked over. I’m not as young as I used to be,” Peter said.
The arrangement meant opportunity for Peter and Judith to take a more backseat role in the farm.
Angus began in the wool shed as a rouseabout and has started to take his place on the shearing board.
“The wool industry is something I can’t get out of my head,” Angus said.
I like waking up in the morning, coming down here to work all day, rest at night and get up to do it all again.
“It’s a life that not many people get a chance to do.”
They use Stockton Merino rams in their self-replacing flock of about 2000 head, including lambs.
“Over the years I’ve tried to grow a wool that’s about 18 Micron, soft handling, good staple and nice and white,” Peter said.
“Seasons do play a big part in it.
“The wool we’ve got here, I would say, is predominantly a Merrivale base.
“I’ve tried plenty of other types but I keep coming back to Stockton.”
The annual clip is 40-45 bales and the Millenium drought caused them to understock the property, which they continue to do.
Peter is passionate about the wool industry, a passion that is shared by his family.
“It’s not always been the easiest industry,” Peter said.
“It’s been pretty tough for a long time but it’s alright at the moment.
“The price of wool hasn’t been too good for a long time, when you put it against costs of production; but it’s a good lifestyle and the return has been consistent over the past few years.”
He compared it to the share market, with the return on wool reflective of the value of the Australian dollar.
As for football, Peter’s weekends are taken up with watching Angus, a handy player for Wy Yung in the East Gippsland league. Angus does not barrack for Collingwood.