Fortnightly member update | #7 2019

AAA Member Update #7

Welcome to our member update. Our fortnightly update is our way of communicating more effectively with all AAA members.

CEO News

AAA member survey

The AAA member survey closes this Sunday 12 May at 6pm. Thank you to everyone who has already contributed to the survey and also to those that will do so before it closes. The Board will examine the results and they will inform decision making. The Board has listened to member requests for greater consultation - here is your opportunity to contribute!

Membership renewals

On 1 June you will receive your renewal invitation through eAlpaca for the 2019-20 financial year. If you have a joint membership, good news - the Board has decreased the price of joint memberships from $315 down to $275!

Amanda Olthof, AAA CEO

New AAA Staff and Roles

We welcome Tanya Wheeler to the AAA team who is working in the Member Liaison role from 9am-1pm each day. Tanya brings many years of experience in both Commonwealth and Local Government and private sector in Human Resources, administration and customer service roles. She is enjoying getting to know you and understanding your needs which will enable her to develop processes which will result in the delivery of a high level of customer service to all. All inquiries related to eAlpaca or membership queries can be directed to Tanya@alpaca.asn.au

Madelayne Bissels, VER President has taken on the role of show administrator. Maddy is available to assist convenors and exhibitors with show issues for eAlpaca. She can be contacted at AlpacaAssocShows@gmail.com

Alpaca Export Update

The Australian Government's Agricultural Counsellors are continuing to work on our behalf at a government to government level in New Zealand and the EU to improve access for alpacas into those foreign markets. Market pull-through is important -if you have customers in those areas, they can assist by requesting, through their alpaca association, that their government allow the import of Australian alpacas.

Hashtagging #

Please ensure wherever possible you would like to reference the Association tag us into your posts on Facebook (@AustralianAlpacaAssociation), Twitter (@AustAlpacaAssoc) and Instagram (@aus_alpaca) or use the hashtag #australianalpaca so we can keep tabs on all the wonderful things you're doing!

Delegation to China

A delegation consisting of Sue Harris, Andrew Hulme and Amanda Olthof will travel to China next week to attend the China Wool and Textiles Association Trade Fair and attend various meetings including with AusTrade and the DAWR outpost staff. The Board will also invite a delegation of Chinese breeders to Australia to learn about alpaca husbandry.

AAA members in the news!

9 News, Central Victoria
As demand for Alpaca fleece and meat grows around the world, a Harcourt farm is reaping the benefits.

Read more.

Regional Outlook conferences

ABARES
The ABARES Regional Outlook conferences are an essential part of sharing our commodity forecasts and research results, and hearing from you about key regional agricultural issues

Nanobodies from Alpacas Could Help Solve a Problem in the Cancer Field

The Science Times, Sieeka Khan, April 14 2019
In the year 1989, two students from the Free University of Brussels were assigned to test frozen blood serum from camels, and as they did so they stumbled on an unknown antibody

Follow us!

Please make sure you're following us on our social media channels and have requested to join the AAA Members' Group on Facebook, which is your place for direct communication with us and anything else alpaca related.

Follow us on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram profiles!

If you have photos from the past or news that you would like to celebrate on the AAA main page, please send it through to info@alpaca.asn.au.

Upcoming events

10-11 May - Bundaberg Agrotrend Alpaca Show
11 May - Hawkesbury Alpaca Show
11 May - Grafton Colourbration Alpaca Show
25-26 May - Gidgeganup Alpaca Show
26 May - Alpaca Junior Judging Training Workshop
7 June - Victorian Alpaca Colourbration 2019
9 June - Glen Innes New England Alpaca Show
11-12 June - Australian Biosecurity Symposium
23-25 August - National Alpaca Show
19-21 July - Commercial Alpaca Fleece Show at BS&WS