Wool grower Georgina Wallace was born and raised on a farm in central Tasmania alongside her three sisters. Today, Georgina is continuing her family legacy and is one of the 60,000 woolgrowers in Australia that are part of The Woolmark Company’s network. Here she shares her story of what it is like running her 7,000 hectare sheep and wool farm ‘Trefusis’ alongside her husband Hamish; how she’s never felt intimidated as a woman working in a fairly male-dominated sphere; and why taking care of both the land and animals is crucial for success.
A Love for the Land and Animals
“We had a very simple but idyllic childhood surrounded by animals. I’ve spent my whole life farming and have had a love for the land and for animals from a young age. Our parents always taught us the importance of caring for the land and looking after our animals because if both the land and animals are healthy they will be happy and very productive, producing a wonderful fibre.
“I also see ourselves as custodians of this land – my parents spent 60 years improving this property and sheep, and therefore my husband Hamish and I want to continue this legacy and leave our property in even better order for the next generation.”
Successful Women Wool Growers
“My parents always encouraged my sisters and I to be involved with the farm, so from a young age we worked on the farm alongside our male workmen. It was a time that not many women worked on the land, but we saw nothing different. This philosophy has followed me through my career, whereby I have never felt intimidated by being involved in a fairly male dominated sphere. I have been President of our Local show, President of our State Merino Breeders Association and President of the Australian Association of Stud Merino Breeders.”