Member update | #9 2019

AAA Member Update #9

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

Member Survey Results

Thank you to the members who participated in the AAA Member Satisfaction Survey - survey results are summarised and available on the 'Members News' webpage here. The results will be used by the Board and regional committees to input into strategic decision making.

Victorian Regional Mergers

The members of Victorian Western and Victorian Central regions have voted to merge their boundaries and form a single region which will be known as the Victoria Central Region. The Board of the AAA congratulates the Presidents and members on their decision to gain more strength by uniting and looking to the future. This is a great move which took a lot of deliberation, thought and dialogue and is totally supported by the AAA Board.

Amanda Olthof, AAA CEO

Member renewals

Membership renewals are now due. Membership for full, youth, associate and overseas members stay the same price as last year, however joint memberships have decreased in price from $315 to $275! Educational memberships for schools with an agricultural program are free of charge!
Renew through ealpaca.com.au or call the office for assistance with your renewal.

Build the herd sale

The build the herd sale which ran between 15 May and 30 June saw an additional 1,661 animals enter the registered herd - well done to everyone!

eAlpaca Updates

With the start of the new financial year, it is time to log into your eAlpaca account to check that your details are all current and that your herd is updated.

A new fee schedule has been implemented for the new financial year which has seen a small increase in the fees for transfers of alpacas between herds. The fee schedule can be found in the members' area of the AAA website.

A Third Visit to China

The AAA had already sent two trade delegations to China in 2018 so in May this year it sent a third delegation, which has resulted in orders for sample supplies of both white and coloured huacaya fibre. Strict protocols and procedures have been developed to ensure the fibre which is consolidated for sale to the Chinese market is of consistently high quality and meets the specifications set by the individual purchasers.

The Board also endorsed a levy to be imposed on all export fleece and animal sales, with those funds being allocated to further Commercial & Market Development activities. Last month we received an $18,100 Export Market Development Grant from AusTrade in respect of 1st and 2nd Chinese Trade Missions. A similar grant will be applied for shortly in respect of the 3rd Chinese Trade Mission and the August Chinese delegation visit.

Representatives from the various fibre collection groups across the country participated in a teleconference last week with the view of obtaining further information about the Chinese fibre export opportunities. Further such teleconferences to cover Chinese and other export markets are being planned.

China is a big market, we cannot possibly satisfy the demand for alpaca in a good year but we can build a reputation for supplying boutique quantities of top quantity fibre to our trusted customers.

Australian Alpaca Nationals

The AAA is pleased to host the Australian Alpaca National Show 2019 in Canberra, ACT. The event, showcasing the ‘best of the best’ craft, artwork, fibre and alpacas, is being held at Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC), from 23 to 25 August. The premier alpaca event of the year offers:

live judging of halter show
fleece show – showcasing alpaca fleece in all colours
junior judging and junior parader events
art and craft competition offering classes for yarn, garments, toys and crafts, artwork and photographs
alpaca fibre discussion panel
trade stands offering a wide range alpaca related fashion, home wares, yarn, gifts and alpaca related items
craft workshops
fashion parade
dinner
cafe
camel rides

Join us for three days of everything alpaca! For more information click here.

Vale Julienne Gelber

With great sadness we announced the passing after a short illness of Julienne Gelber, who was awarded Life Membership of the AAA at the 2018 AGM.

Julienne’s involvement with alpacas began nearly 25 years ago and her contribution to the development of the industry with her passion for both huacaya and suri fibre is immeasurable. Many will remember her for her mentorship and friendship, for her support of regional events and workshops, for her generosity and humility. The scientific rigor of her approach to the development of the fibre on her animals and to the processing of that fibre was unparalleled. Julienne will live on in the genetics of her animals which are now spread through many suri and huacaya herds throughout Australia.

Julienne was a very private person who shunned the limelight, and at her request there is to be no funeral. Our love and thoughts are with Frank, family and loved ones.

Douglas Martin, 12, with his alpacas Ragamuffin and Felix at the weekend. Picture: Glenn Daniels

2019 Victorian Alpaca Colourbration Show held in Bendigo

Bendigo Advertisers, 8 June 2019
Sixty breeders from across Victoria and interstate have come to Bendigo for the return of the Victorian Alpaca Colourbration Show. Read more.

Laharum's Rosehaven Alpacas continues to expand

Wimmera Mail Times, 20 May 2019
From humble beginnings, a Wimmera alpaca stud is now learning to adapt to a growing market. David and Pam Pratt own Rosehaven Alpacas at Laharum and say the alpaca industry is one that is still developing. Read more.

Rosehaven Alpacas owners David and Pam Pratt

CEO Invasive Species Council Andrew Cox, CEO Animal Health Australia Kathleen Plowman and CEO Centre Invasive Species Solutions Andreas Glanznig. Picture: Stefan Daniljchenko

Calls for national biosecurity strategy

Stock Journal, 24 June 2019
The inaugural Australian Biosecurity Symposium, co-hosted by Animal Health Australia, Invasive Species Council and the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions attracted more than 400 delegates on the Gold Coast. The symposium focused on strategies to future-proof the nation's biosecurity system to better protect Australia's agricultural industry, iconic native plants and animals. Read more.

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.