Reflections on a Challenging yet Rewarding Tenure

Rowan Woods, Immediate Past President, National Council of Wool Selling Brokers of Australia

It would be naïve to suggest that the past year has been anything but one of the most trying periods for the wool industry—perhaps rivalled only by wartime. Wool production has fallen to levels not seen since World War I, and this downturn has reverberated across the entire supply chain, including our own National Council of Wool Selling Brokers of Australia (NCWSBA) balance sheet, with subscription revenue significantly reduced.

Yet, despite these headwinds, we are still here.

This year, the industry has been urged to “cut its cloth” to suit the environment—a concept not lost on us as brokers. In fact, it’s one we’ve strongly advocated for across the broader wool sector. NCWSBA has consciously positioned itself as a leader, not just a participant, in shaping the industry narrative. We’ve chosen to be involved—if not to lead—because relying on government policy to safeguard our future is no longer a viable strategy.

Over the past six years, we’ve worked tirelessly to ensure all brokers are represented within NCWSBA. It’s been a challenge, but we’ve made progress, and in recent times Moses & Son, Fox & Lillie Rural, and most recently West Coast Wool have joined our ranks. I firmly believe every broker should be part of this organisation, and we’ll continue to share our message with non-members to highlight the benefits that the NCWSBA delivers.

Our representation spans the wool industry. NCWSBA is a key member of Wool Industries Australia (WIA), which gives us a seat at several influential tables including the China-Australia and India-Australia Joint Working Groups.

We are also represented on the National Wool Harvesting & Training Advisory Panel, Australian Wool Traceability Hub Steering Committee, Workplace Conduct Working Group and the AWTA Board.

These platforms allow us to influence decisions that directly affect our members. For example, we successfully advocated for moving the mid-year break to allow more selling weeks in the new financial year before the winter recess. Our next challenge is Chinese New Year (CNY). We must lead this debate and shape the selling calendar to better reflect the needs of both our buyers and sellers. The Chinese industry has been asking us to respect their beliefs on this issue for years. Next year, for the first time, a week off will be trialled for CNY, but subject to some “conditions” relating to volume and time since a recess. Currently, low production volumes will impact less on a week off for CNY. Should CNY fall in January, it would be too close to the Christmas break to allow another week off. Alternatively, if volumes recover and dictate a week off is not workable, then a break would be subject to review.

As is the case with all advocacy, our efforts have seen mixed results. The “Make the Label Count” campaign in Europe, initially funded by Australian growers through AWI and supported by NCWSBA and ACWEP, is finally gaining traction. We’re starting to win, but we must stay the course. Conversely, our joint effort with WoolProducers and the West Australian Shearing Industry Association to reverse the live sheep export ban was unsuccessful, with Labor re-elected in WA with an increased majority.

One bright spot has been the resurgence of the Young Wool Broker of the Year Program. Starting next year, and in collaboration with the Australian Council of Wool Exporters and Processors (ACWEP) and WoolProducers (WPA), we’re looking to redesign this Program into a broader “Young Professional Program”, aligned with IWTO’s Young Professionals Program. Our goal is to have three representatives. One broker, one buyer, and one grower, and for them to attend and present at IWTO, fostering collaboration and camaraderie across the supply chain.

The strong relationship between NCWSBA, ACWEP and WoolProducers has been built on regular, constructive dialogue. These three organisations are the backbone of Wool Industries Australia (WIA) and the Australian wool industry at large, investing our own funds into representation and development. Together, we’ve held others to account and led the narrative.

WIA is now enjoying a resurgence in relevance, largely due to this collaborative and co-operative approach. The other organisations who make up WIA are the “AW’s” – AWEX, AWTA, AWH and AWI. WIA is our industry vehicle to IWTO, making it our conduit to the global stage.

This collaboration was most evident when WIA unanimously backed the AWSS. Despite initial reservations, companies put differences aside to support AWEX’s initiative. This unity must be our focus. With our collective backs to the wall, we must pull together—from AW to WIA and everyone in between.

The IWTO Congress in Lille, France this May was a wake-up call. Australia was underrepresented, despite our growers, through AWI helping fund the event. We listened while NZ claimed to have the most sustainable wool and the best wool in the World. We heard how South Africa had the best traceability systems and the best wool in the world – even the Falkland Islanders claimed the whitest wool in the world. Meanwhile, we could only point to the largest production downturn in the world. NZ and SA are punching above their weight—we’re punching each other. That must stop.

To add insult to injury, our largest customer, China, told us and the rest of the global supply-chain that they now prefer South African wool for its traceability and certification credentials.

Internally at the NCWSBA, we’ve modernised our Constitution, which was outdated and no longer fit for purpose. A working group was assembled, and in collaboration with Heinz Law, developed new rules that were ratified at a recent Special General Meeting.

As I conclude my tenure—extended due to the three COVID years—I reflect on a role that has been both challenging and rewarding. I’ve grown into it and enjoyed every moment. I offer my full support to incoming President Alistair Calvert. Alistair’s direct approach is refreshing and effective, and I’m grateful for his support in our respective roles as President and Vice President.

Thanks also to John Colley, whose counsel as Immediate Past President has been invaluable, and to Bianca Heaney for her support of the Executive Director and her management of the Young Broker Program.

Finally, my deepest thanks to our Executive Director. Rob is, without doubt, the most effective person we’ve had in this role. As a former broker, he understands our challenges and continues to be a tremendous asset.

Most recently (September 17th – 25th) I travelled to China for the Nanjing Wool Market Conference. This forum is more commercial than IWTO and Australia figures far more prominently. The messages were clear from the Chinese. “We need you to grow more wool” and “how can we get more RWS Certified wool”.

The responses from Australia were clear. The price must increase. President of ACWEP, Josh Lamb, stated Australia’s position very well. To paraphrase, “We are at our lowest production in over 100 years. Costs of production for wool have increased significantly, and every day we lose a wool producer to other enterprises, or they leave farming all together.” He went on to say that “The 6 biggest combing mills in the world, 5 of which are here in China, have the capacity to handle the entire Australian wool clip.” He went on to add “Australia is the only country able to produce enough volume of the best wool, with the best clip preparation standards in the world”.

These facts must have hit a nerve, as the rhetoric changed almost instantly. Suggestions that “the turnaround in the wool market was not temporary” and “prices will improve from now on” were common. That very week, the market witnessed its biggest single day rise since 1987.

I will finish by saying that the road ahead will require unity, resilience, and leadership. I’m confident NCWSBA is well-positioned to meet the moment.

Rowan Woods, Immediate Past President, National Council of Wool Selling Brokers of Australia

ENDS