Meet Our Team
WoolProducers Australia is led by a National Executive made up of woolgrowers from around Australia. Each state farm organisation member is represented on the executive, while another three members are independently elected by the growers Australia-wide.
Democratically elected independent members gives anyone involved with wool growing in Australia the opportunity to be a part of the leadership team. This sets WPA apart from other grower groups and gives it the mantle of the true democratic voice of the Australian wool industry.
Staff
Jo Hall
Chief Executive Officer
Jo has a passion for the wool industry, having grown up on a wool and beef property in southern NSW, and has spent most of her working life in various facets of the industry.
Jo joined WoolProducers Australia as the Animal Health and Welfare Policy Director in February 2011 and was appointed as CEO in December 2014. Prior to that Jo worked for AgForce Queensland as the Sheep & Wool Policy Director.
Jo has represented the wool industry at state, national and international levels throughout her career across a range of issues affecting the industry.
Jo has worked in wool production, on-farm testing and shearing sheds across NSW and has a degree in Agribusiness from the University of Sydney.
Adam Dawes
General Manager
Adam joined WoolProducers Australia in 2020. Adam grew up on a wool producing property near Yass, NSW and has a Bachelor of Agriculture (Agronomy) from Charles Sturt University.
Adam worked for 4 years as an agronomist in the Southern Tablelands of NSW and various biosecurity and trade related roles at the federal Department of Agriculture. He also spent 4 years working for the Falklands Islands Government Department of Agriculture, as an agronomist and Senior Agricultural Advisor.
Adam contributes to the long-term sustainable growth of the Australian wool industry through informed investment in research and development, maintenance of benchmark animal welfare standards, sustainable environmental management, developing consumer awareness and advocacy for the greatest natural fibre in the world.
Georgie Trowbridge
Sheep Health, Welfare and Biosecurity Policy Director
Georgie joined WoolProducers Australia in 2026 as the Sheep Health, Welfare and Biosecurity Policy Director.
Georgie brings experience in policy development, project management, and stakeholder engagement, having worked with Livestock SA, NSW Farmers Association and Australian Wool Innovation across a range of industry development roles.
Originally from a wool and lucerne production property in South Australia, Georgie holds a Bachelor of Agriculture and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of New England.
Her strong connection to the wool industry, combined with her practical policy experience, continues to shape her work in advancing sheep health, welfare and biosecurity outcomes for Australian wool growers.
Board of Directors
Steve Harrison
President (Independent)
Steve lives in Gippsland, Victoria with his wife and three daughters. Steve owns Bindawarra Merino Stud and runs a successful commercial sheep flock of 4000 ewes. Steve is a Life Member of the Gippsland Sheep Breeders Association and has been a VFF Livestock Councillor for a number of years with the VFF Livestock Group. He was appointed an independent WoolProducers director in 2011.
Peter Thomas
AgForce Queensland
Peter is a 5th generation wool producer who operates a self-replacing merino flock in central west Queensland with his wife and family. Peter holds a Bachelor in Business (Agribusiness) and has gained experience in other sectors of agriculture including rural finance, grain marketing and logistics and Queensland DPI.
Representing AgForce Queensland
Makaela Knapp
WA Farmers
Makaela is a fourth-generation farmer in WA’s Great Southern region where her family run a merino stud, a commercial sheep operation and a substantial cropping program. Makaela has a degree in International Relations with International Management and Sheep & Wool Science. She is passionate and dedicated to shaping practical policy change. Makaela has been a member of the WAFarmers Livestock Council since 2020.
Representing WA Farmers
Simon Riddle
Vice President (Independent)
Simon Lives in North-East Victoria with his wife and two children. They own and operate a 18-19 micron self-replacing merino flock and pol merino stud, currently lambing down around 2000 ewes. Simon joined WoolProducers in 2020 as the VFF Livestock Delegate and was elected in 2023 as an Indepent Director. Simon was also elected Acting Vice President until early 2024 when the Board will consider Directors for the position.
Leonie Mills
Livestock SA
Leonie Mills lives on the Eastern Eyre Peninsula where she has worked within my family’s enterprise since 1980, taking over the reins around 2000. Leonie currently sits on the Merino SA management committee as well as Rabbit Free Australia and the SA Wild Dog committee and has previously chaired the SA Sheep Advisory Group.
Representing Livestock SA
Edward Brand
Independent Director
Independent Director
Tim McShane
Tasmanian Farmers & Graziers Association
Tim is a fifth generation farmer in the southern midlands of Tasmania. Together with wife Felicity, brother Andrew and his wife Allison they run a Poll Merino Stud and a flock of 30,000 fine wool merinos ewes. Tim has an Advanced Diploma in Farm Management from Glenormiston and completed a Marcus Oldham Rural Leadership Program in 2005. He has been a member of the Tasmanian Sheep Connect PAP and the TFGA Wool Council for 15 years.
Representing TFGA
David Young
Independent Director
Coming Soon!
Independent Director
Youth Ambassador
Toby Haylock
Mr Haylock, is the WoolProducers' Youth ambassador for the 2026 financial year. Toby currently serves as District Wool Manager for Elders in Yass, NSW, and brings a wealth of industry experience and leadership.