Former Australian Superfine Woolgrowers Association (ASWGA) president Kevin Dunn’s profound commitment to the fine wool industry meant one year he could not put his rams out for joining.
Superfine sheep has been the dominant part of Horsham fine wool producer Kevin Dunn’s, Avondale Hills, life, which was why he was awarded lifetime member of the ASWGA during the annual conference this week.
“If you don’t put the rams out, life is a lot easier I can tell you,” Mr Dunn said.
ASWGA president Simon Cameron said to make that decision about his farm for the benefit of ASWGA and its members was a huge commitment.
“Kevin has always served with selfless expectation in any position held – this reinforces the quality of the man,” Mr Cameron said.
“His integrity, honesty and his love for family and superfine wool is what marks Kevin for the man he is.”
A renown wool classer, Mr Dunn prepared the record breaking Connorville clip which sold for $3070 a kilogram - a staggering $300,850 for a bale – in 1989, sold to Fujii Keori Ltd of Japan.
He is renowned in his district for the quality of his stock and the animal husbandry skills, which Mr Cameron said had been the mantel of a professional superfine wool producer.
In 1932, Kevin’s grandfather founded the Avondale flock and in 1938 his father Norman formed Avondale Hills stud on Saxon sheep.
Kevin took over the direction of the stud in 1970s, and in 1971 was at a founding meeting of the ASWGA.
This initiated more than three decades of services to the association at a regional level, and 13 years dedicated to national positions.
That founding meeting was led by the late Arthur Beggs of Buln Gherin, Beaufort, Vic, where Mr Dunn’s first impression was of an “old boys club”, potentially harmful to future progress.
“I’ve lived to regret that plenty of times because it has made an enormous impact to the industry and superfine wool in general,” Mr Dunn said.
“That is why I kept getting deeper and deeper involved.
“May the wool industry and ASWGA prosper.”