Due to the large amount of community support, the Boorowa Wool Harvesting Scholarship has moved under an independent association in order to expand assistance to all areas of the wool industry.

Board members of the Boorowa Wool Harvesting Association Inc. are developing new strategies to provide greater employment opportunities to rural youth in small towns like the Boorowa community.

The Association is headed up by President Leanne Croker and supported by seven other board members, including Vice President Ingrid Corcoran, Treasurer Judy Ford, Secretary Deidre Johnson, Publicity Officer Samantha McPhee and community members who bring their wool industry expertise to the new association, Ian Elkins, Guy Evans, Jono Merriman and Charlie Merriman.

President of the Association, Leanne Croker said this new team will be working together to encourage local students to choose the wool industry as a career prospect.

“This new association brings together a group of people who all have valuable experience and knowledge of the wool industry,” Mrs Croker said.

“Together we will be working to expand the opportunities to students through education and training in order to inject key talent into the wool industry.”

“On behalf of the Boorowa Wool Harvesting Association, I would like to thank the Boorowa Business Association for supporting my original vision two years ago, for a scholarship which helps students kick-start their wool harvesting careers.”

“Due to the large amount of community and regional support for the Boorowa Wool Harvesting Scholarship, we have been able to take a huge step forward, creating an independent association tailored to meet the specific needs of the wool industry.”

Local students who are interested in a wool industry career will be able to apply for a range of new scholarships supporting education and training in areas such as Sheep Shearing, Wool Handling, Wool Classing, Wool Management and Stud Management.

“It is vital we continue to expand support and provide innovative opportunities to encourage students to think of the wool industry as a viable career choice,” Mrs Croker said.

“The wool industry is a major lifeline to not only the Boorowa community but also our surrounding agricultural sector. This industry allows our community to grow and sustains our local economic balance. This is why it’s important we as a community support this industry.”

The Boorowa Wool Harvesting Association Inc. would also like to thank their major sponsors, as without their support this move to establish an independent association would not be possible.  Major sponsors include Australian Wool Innovation (AWI), Boorowa Arts and Crafts and Tourism Information Centre, Boorowa Shire Council, Thompson’s Rural Supplies, Boorowa Bendigo Community Bank, Top Gun Shearing Supplies, JD’S Rural Supplies , South West Tractors Young, Young Shearing Supplies, Boorowa businesses, clubs and hotels ,Landmark Boorowa, Australian Wool Network as well as local shearing contractors, stud owners and independent landowners and shearers.

The Boorowa Wool Harvesting Association Inc. will offer a student who is 15 to 18 years-old, living in the Boorowa Shire or 25 km from Boorowa, the opportunity to apply for a Wool Harvesting Scholarship. 

For applications or inquiries please contact President of the Boorowa Wool Harvesting Association Inc. Leanne Croker on (02) 48357203.

All applications must be submitted by 5 September 2014. Scholarship recipients will be announced at the 2014 Boorowa Woolfest.