Sheep Alliance directors to vote on future

A not-for-profit sheep group founded to improve the State’s declining sheep flock could be brought to a close today.

Sheep Alliance of WA directors are poised to meet in Perth suburb Como from 3pm today to determine a proposal to wind-up the State Government-funded association.

Countryman obtained the scheduled meeting’s agenda, outlining discussion for SAWA’s voluntary cancellation and the distribution of its remaining funds.

It also includes “opportunities for further collaboration”, listing newly-formed group The Sheep Collective, woolgrower network The Sheep’s Back and WA Livestock Research Council.

The three-year Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development-backed project, funded through Royalties for Regions, officially ended last June.

However, it is understood SAWA directors opted to continue operating to complete its WA Sheep Research, Development and Extension Program.

SAWA was spun out of the former Sheep Industry Leadership Council in 2016 in an attempt to provide strategy and leadership to the WA sheep industry.

The group had a founding membership of 42 industry entities, with Kojonup producer Craig Heggaton the inaugural chairman.

SAWA played an influential role in bringing Australia’s biggest national sheep and lamb event — LambEx — to Perth in August last year.

Group director director Bindi Murray, a sheep producer at Woodanilling, was the chairwoman of the event’s organising committee.