AWI Industry Relations Officers: Here to help
Meet the four AWI Industry Relations Officers that operate in Australia’s largest wool-growing states. They each manage AWI’s on the ground relationships and engagement with woolgrowers and wool industry networks in their state. You can contact them if you want to share your thoughts or need some input regarding wool-related activities and events in your state.
New South Wales
Kristen Frost
Based near Crookwell, Kristen commenced in the role in April.
Kristen grew up in Crookwell and has been around sheep and wool her whole life. She is a woolgrower and a partner in a Merino Stud. Kristen also has a background in rural and agricultural communications, most recently as National Sheep and Wool Writer at Fairfax Agricultural Media.
0427 393 601
Victoria
Holly Byrne
Based near Bendigo, Holly commenced in the role in July.
Holly grew up on her family's sheep and cropping property near Axedale, where her family still farms. She undertook a wool-classing certificate during her final years at school, starting her career in wool with a short stint in a bulk wool handling facility before then continuing a decade long career working in shearing sheds across central Victoria and Southern NSW.
0459 326 091
South Australia
Shannon Donoghue
Based near Jamestown, Shannon commenced in the role in April.
Shannon grew up on a sheep farm at Naracoorte. She went straight into the sheds after finishing school and has a background in wool classing and wool handling training with SCAA Shearer Woolhandler Training Inc. Shannon also completed AWI’s Breeding Leadership course in 2022.
0459 293 919
Western Australia
Jodie King
Based in Darkan, Jodie commenced in the role in September.
Jodie has a family background in Merino wool and sheep studs. With her husband Nathan, Jodie helped set up the successful Darkan Sheepfest event. She and her husband have a small property at Darkan where they are setting up a Poll Merino stud for their teenage daughters.
0474 875 222
This article appeared in the December 2023 edition of AWI’s Beyond the Bale magazine. Reproduction of the article is encouraged.
