Largest wool classing cohort in NSW graduates at Hay.

The graduating class (back row, from left) Stuart Murphy, Michael Donovan, Aaron Nevison, Bella McGrath, Sophie Nuske, Chloe Deacon, Max Lacey, Tom Lugsdin, Sam Davis, Kiaya Linnett, Dave Allen. Front: Emma McCrabb, Kayla Garner, Georgie Meddings, Rebecca Owen, Isabel Virgona.

Image: The Riverine Grazier / Krista Schade.

By Krista Schade

The largest enrolment of wool classing professionals in the state sat its final exam last week at Hay’s TAFE campus.

Taught by one of Australia’s leading classers, Hay’s Kayla Garner, 14 students from Hay, Ivanhoe, Booroorban, Broken Hill, Adelong and Trangie were vigorously assessed.

The students commenced their training in February, under the expert guidance of Ms Garner, who was crowned Australian National Wool Handling Champion in 2013.

Stuart Murphy, TAFE’s head teacher of agribusiness, travelled from Scone to undertake the assessment.

“I am here to ensure these students have fully met the requirements of the qualification,” Mr Murphy explained.

“We want these students to be job ready, ready to walk into a career in an industry experiencing Australia wide shortages.

“What’s great about this group is that many are wool growers themselves and are directly addressing this critical skills shortage.”

Each student passed their assessment and is now a fully qualified wool classer.

“Everyone passed with high distinction and I am very proud of their achievements,” Ms Garner said. “I’m excited to see where their future in wool takes them all.”

Photo gallery images: Kayla Garner