AAA Member Update #6 2021

The AAA monthly update is our way of communicating with our members. 

Director Resignation 

The Board is very sad to report that Sarah Wheeler has resigned from her position as an AAA Board Director, effective 23 July 2021 for personal reasons. Sarah's position will be filled through the Board nomination process associated with the AGM. 

AAA Member Survey  

The Australian alpaca industry contributes to farming, fibre, and fashion, but the potential for growth is not well known.  To better understand what is happening to all alpaca fleece shorn around the country, we have developed a survey to obtain information to get information to promote our fibre industry, lobby the Government, and support funding applications to develop existing and new fibre markets. All responses are anonymous and all data will be collated so that individual members cannot be identified. The survey takes less than 5 minutes to complete. if you haven't already done so, fill in here. 

National Show Update 

The Board and National Show convenors have met to review the impacts of current lockdown and state border closures on the show. During the coming week, we will be working in a number of directions and we ask for your assistance.

• The next review will take place early next week. The health and welfare of members and their alpacas will be of prime importance as the viability of the event is considered. Members will be informed via email as soon as decisions are made.
• The fleece show will go ahead on the advertised dates irrespective, so get your fleece entries in. Entry close date remains Friday 16 July
• Halter show entry close date remains Friday 16 July. We recognise that many of you are reluctant to complete your halter entries given the air of uncertainty, so we would like you to proceed with your halter entries on eAlpaca but do not complete payment at this time. This will give us the draft entry information we need to understand the support for the halter show. Fleece entries should be completed but do not deliver to the NSW address at this stage.
• Alternative dates for the halter show and youth events are being investigated as a contingency.
• Refunds of all fees will be given to any exhibitor who cannot attend the show for any COVID related reason.
• Thank you to all our sponsors. We appreciate your support and the show convenors will be in contact to discuss arrangements if the show has to go to the contingency arrangements.
• Thank you to the convenors Paul and Lyn who are doing an amazing job in these uncertain circumstances.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Showing and Judging Update

• Jude Anderson judge appointment - We are welcoming Jude back to judging in Australia following the Board's endorsement of the SJC's recommendation to reappoint Jude as an AAA accredited judge. This recommendation was based on Jude's previous position as a Senior AAA judge and the currency of her judging experience. She returns with a wealth of experience in judging and judge training, together with an enthusiasm to contribute to our judge and apprentice training programs. 
• Our Convenor and Stewards Manual has recently been completed and is available in the Members' Portal of the AAA website under Showing Resources. SJC is looking to provide a series of online convenor training activities in the coming months and regular updates to support convenors.
• With the recent return to the show ring, several apprentices have been enjoying the guidance of our experienced judges as they progress through their apprenticeship program and we work with them to develop a new group of judges for the Australian Alpaca industry. The SJC extends our thanks to the show convenors and regions for allowing the apprentices to be part of their shows.
• The SJC are planning several initiatives to support our showing and judging activities, including development and mentoring programs for judges and apprentices, and reviewing the methods for allocating judges to shows. 

AYE Update

Congratulations to Katy Armson-Graham who has finished her parader judge apprenticeship and has been endorsed by the AAA Board as a level 3 Parader Judge.