Home

Williams’ wonderful wool takes centrestage

Headshot of Bob Garnant
Bob GarnantCountryman
Model Gemma Haddrick wearing the comfort of MerinoSnug.
Camera IconModel Gemma Haddrick wearing the comfort of MerinoSnug. Credit: Bob Garnant
Woolshed proprietor Kim Maylor opened the fashion parade wearing a MerinoSnug jumper.
Camera IconWoolshed proprietor Kim Maylor opened the fashion parade wearing a MerinoSnug jumper. Credit: Bob Garnant
Model Emmi Duff wears a boat neck 3/4 sleeve tunic.
Camera IconModel Emmi Duff wears a boat neck 3/4 sleeve tunic. Credit: Bob Garnant

Woollen garments destined to be made from fibre produced in Williams was the reason to celebrate at the Williams Woolshed, a thriving cafe and retail outlet in the heart of town.

Woolshed proprietor Simon Maylor greeted guests to an entertaining evening to mark the launch of the Williams Wool DNA Project.

“The project will generate opportunity for our Williams wool industry, highlighting the district as an ever-important wool-growing area,” Mr Maylor said.

Mr Maylor and his business partners will begin retailing their first home-grown woollen garments next year, an initiative set up through Australian Wool Network’s Direct Network Advantage, in conjunction with WA wool broker Dyson Jones.

AWN sales manager Rod Miller said through the purchase of Hysport manufacturing in 2014, AWN began marketing the wool-blended garment brand MerinoSnug.

“MerinoSnug is currently in stock at the Woolshed, less the local fibre distinction, but through the DNA project that is about to change,” he said.

“The DNA portion of our marketing terminology is a play on the genetic make-up of our woollen garment manufacturing — back to the Australian communities that grow the wool.”

Mr Miller said AWN was keen to support networks of woolgrowers who took pride in producing the world’s oldest natural and sustainable fibre.

“The Williams Wool DNA Project is being supported by an AWN marketing campaign to capture the unique stories of the local participating woolgrowers and their local community,” he said.

“Through the many DNA projects now in progress throughout the country, we are telling a 100 per cent Australian story.”

Model Emma Liddelow wears a Quebec cowl neck jumper.
Camera IconModel Emma Liddelow wears a Quebec cowl neck jumper. Credit: Countryman, Bob Garnant
Model Christine Cowcher wearing a MerinoSnug Sydney poncho.
Camera IconModel Christine Cowcher wearing a MerinoSnug Sydney poncho. Credit: Bob Garnant

Mr Maylor said the marketing campaign for the Williams project began during the week and on-going filming would capture highlights of the launch, particularly the evening’s fashion parade.

“Through great community spirit, our volunteer models, who represent teachers, mums, nurses and students, will be proudly wearing MerinoSnug designs,” he said.

Many local woolgrowers who have participated in the project attended the launch and expressed great community pride.

Noel Fowler, who produces his family’s Rapanui woolclip, said the community initiative would put Williams on the map as a great WA wool-growing district.

“It will be fantastic to reap the fruition of our labour through the purchase of woollen garments at the Woolshed, made from the fibre grown on our farm,” he said.

Tilba Tilba fine woolgrower Andrew Rintoul said the project would be great for Williams’ local Merino producers.

“It will certainly lift our enthusiasm towards further quality wool production,” he said.

Dyson Jones wool manager Peter Howie said the launch had a great community turnout, which reflected the support of the DNA project.

“I would expect further participation as a result of this bale to garment success story,” he said.

Williams Woolshed principals Simon and Kim Maylor and Sara and Ryan Duff.
Camera IconWilliams Woolshed principals Simon and Kim Maylor and Sara and Ryan Duff. Credit: Bob Garnant
Williams woolgrower Mitchell Hogg and and AWN sales manager Rod Miller.
Camera IconWilliams woolgrower Mitchell Hogg and and AWN sales manager Rod Miller. Credit: Bob Garnant
Tilba Tilba fine wool producers Andrew and Kirsty Rintoul and Daneille and Kim Rintoul.
Camera IconTilba Tilba fine wool producers Andrew and Kirsty Rintoul and Daneille and Kim Rintoul. Credit: Countryman
Rapanui woolgrowers Noel and Sandra Fowler and their son Lawson and Dyson Jones wool manager Peter Howie.
Camera IconRapanui woolgrowers Noel and Sandra Fowler and their son Lawson and Dyson Jones wool manager Peter Howie. Credit: Bob Garnant
Williams woolgrowers Sheryl and Glen Ford.
Camera IconWilliams woolgrowers Sheryl and Glen Ford. Credit: Countryman
Williams woolgrowers Alan and Marg Greaves and Helen and Patrick Williamson.
Camera IconWilliams woolgrowers Alan and Marg Greaves and Helen and Patrick Williamson. Credit: Bob Garnant
Williams woolgrowers Andrew and Justine Chitty and Woolshed founders Heather and Lawrence Rose.
Camera IconWilliams woolgrowers Andrew and Justine Chitty and Woolshed founders Heather and Lawrence Rose. Credit: Bob Garnant

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails