Peter Kennedy-Gane Senior Judge

Peter successfully attended the International Alpaca Judging School (IAJS) in the Peruvian altiplano in 2004 and subsequently certified as a judge in the following jurisdictions; Australia, New Zealand and the USA. He has since qualified as a senior judge in Australia for the AAA (Australian Alpaca Association) judge and in New Zealand for AANZ (Alpaca Association of New Zealand). He is also qualified in the USA for AOA (Alpaca Owners Association), where he is also certified as a Judge Trainer. Peter has designed and presented training clinics for judges in New Zealand and Australia. He has presented training clinics for breeders in Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada and Europe.

Since qualifying as a judge, Peter has judged shows internationally in Canada, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Europe, the USA and throughout Australia. Highlights have been judging the National shows in Australia, New Zealand, Britain and the USA, as well as the American, British and Canadian Futurity Shows.

Peter has been involved in alpacas since 1998 and a full-time alpaca breeder since 2003.

Natasha Clark Senior Judge

Natasha has had extensive experience with Suri and Huacaya running a herd of over 450  huacaya and suri alpacas of all colours in Victoria under the Kurrawa Prefix.

Natasha has been a full-time alpaca breeder since 1991 and qualified as an AAA (Australian Alpaca Association) judge in 2000. Since that time, she has continued to develop her skills to become a senior Judge and a AAA Judges Trainer. In 2004 Natasha successfully qualified as an International Judge at the IAJS School in Peru and has judged in New Zealand, UK, Europe and all over Australia including all of our major shows. In 2008, 2012, 2014 & 2019 she had the privilege of judging The Australian Alpaca Association National Show. In 2015, 2023 judged the British National Show, 2016, 2022 judged the New Zealand National Show, The Alpaca Association Benelux Harpet Show in 2016. In 2019 judged Bayreuth Germany Show, Boekel Netherland Show, Norwegian National Show, Swedish National Show and The Finish National Show.

Natasha continually gives her time to give seminars, mentor and train breeders, aspiring judges and qualified judges.

Natasha has a background in equine and was a competitive horse show rider and an active Welsh Pony & cob society judge. Having given away the horse riding at a high competitive level Natasha is heavily involved in showing pointer and Griffon Bruxellois dogs.

Shane Carey Senior Judge

Shane owns and manages a herd of over 450 huacaya and suri alpacas of all colours in Victoria. Shane has been breeding alpacas since 1996 and has had a keen interest in showing since the onset and the quality of his herd is regularly recognised in the show ring, both at state and national level. Since 2004, the utilisation of embryo transfer has been used within the herd and now have had over 400 embryo transfer cria born on the farm.

Shane qualified as a AAA judge in 2011 and has since judged in all states of Australia and thoroughly enjoys judging both fleece and animals and seeing the advancement of the national alpaca herd.

Jude Anderson Level 1 Judge

Alongside her husband, Alan Cousill, Jude has been breeding alpacas since 1991, initially in Victoria, and from 2004 in Oregon USA. They returned permanently to Australia in January 2021. They still own a small herd of suris in the USA.

In 1998 Jude qualified as an AAA Alpaca Judge. Amongst many other AAA shows, she has judged the AAA National show three times, as well as the Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, and Adelaide Royal shows. Jude certified at the 2000 International Alpaca Judging School in Peru. And in 2002, she certified as an alpaca judge in USA, going on to achieve AOA Senior Judge and Instructor/Trainer status in 2005. Since then, she has been heavily involved in both apprentice judge training and certification, as well as judge re-certification and calibration clinics in both halter and fleece in the AOA Show System. Jude currently serves as Chair of the AOA Judges’ Advisory Committee and is the halter liaison to the AOA Show Rules Committee.

Jude has judged many alpaca halter and fleece shows including Australia, USA, New Zealand, Canada, UK, The Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Peru. By invitation she conducted a British Alpaca Society judges’ clinic as well as judging both the National fleece and halter shows in the UK in 2016. Jude has also judged the National Alpaca Shows in New Zealand, the UK, Sweden and Norway, and many times in the USA, as well as Futurities in USA, Canada and the UK. She has also spoken at various alpaca conferences and breeder gatherings in New Zealand, USA, Canada, and the UK.

Jude co-authored The Art & Science of Alpaca Judging, a comprehensive judge training text also used extensively by alpaca judges and breeders alike worldwide.

Since returning to Australia, Jude has very much enjoyed judging and being part of the AAA show system once again.

Wendy Billington Level 1 Judge

Wendy has involved in the alpaca industry since 1989. She has traveled overseas to Peru and USA on the quest for highest quality genetics. Several visits to the altiplano, Peru, in the early 1990s gave her insight into what could be achieved with selective and conscientious breeding. Wendy’s passion for quality, commercially viable alpacas was truly born in Peru.

Over the years Wendy’s business has emphasised an uncompromising attention to fibre qualities on older males leading the way toward finer and heavier fleeces. Wendy actively participates as an exhibitor with excellent success. She has been judging for 20 years. including Germany, Belgium, Holland and NZ. Wendy has judged at all major shows in Australia. She considers it a privilege to be asked to assess, critique, and give valuable input into judging so the breeder leaves the show with knowledge. Comparative, it is nonetheless informative, and always driving our industry towards higher breeding standards.

Adrienne Clarke Level 1 Judge

Adrienne Clarke AFSM OAM

Adrienne has passionately bred alpacas for over 30 years.  With her family, she runs Ambersun Alpacas in Mount Compass, South Australia, a large herd of over 1,200 huacaya alpacas.

Adrienne enjoys the challenge of herd improvement, based upon trait quantification and using her tertiary background in statistics and genetics.  Adrienne’s principle goal for the alpacas is the commercial production of ultrafine fleece. After many years of refinement of their herd, they are now producing alpacas with fleeces as ultrafine as 11 microns.  Ambersun has seen its very finest fleeces exported and in demand across the world.

While the alpaca herd is predominantly white and light fawn in colour, she maintains colour diversity, and has focussed on a very successful appaloosa breeding program for over 20 years.  She has studied the genetics behind the inheritance of the appaloosa coat colour to improve predictability.  Worldwide, many of the appaloosa herds have been developed using the Ambersun appaloosa genetics.

Adrienne is a dedicated member of the SA Region.  She takes a keen interest in education, and both nationally and internationally, has conducted training programs to assist breeders with alpaca birthing complications. She is a recipient of the Alpaca Association’s Certificate of Appreciation for service to the alpaca industry.

Alongside of her alpaca interests, Adrienne is employed fulltime as an officer with the SA Metropolitan Fire Service and was South Australia’s first female professional firefighter.  She has been awarded a National Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for service to the community and women’s affairs, and the Australian Fire Service Medal.  In 2018, she was also acknowledged as one of 125 trailblazing women of South Australia.  She includes amongst her most memorable achievements, both in 2019, her participation in The Amazing Race and being a member of the first Australian team to climb a 6,200 metre peak in Nepal (Tengcoma).

Molly Gardner Level 1 Judge

Molly lives at Le Bons Bay on Banks Peninsula, in the South Island of NZ. She runs Angus lowlines and Suri alpaca on her 60 hectare farm together with her sister and mother.  Her focus is on producing the highest quality fleece in black and coloured suri. Their breeding program is designed to encourage the positive fleece traits required for high-end product made from suri.

Molly is passionate about alpaca fibre and the luxurious product that can be made from it. She has been involved in numerous fibre projects and continues to champion suri fleece around the world. She has been a keynote speaker at many events in America and Europe, running hands-on workshops at home and internationally.

Molly is also an accredited Level 1 judge in NZ. She has been judging since 2009 in NZ, Australia and Europe.

Jillian Elwers Level 2 Judge

Jillian has run her stud since 1998 and has been successfully been showing and breeding a herd of approximately 100 suri and huacaya alpacas of all colours in Victoria.

Jillian commenced alpaca judging in 2012. She attained her level 2 status in 2014. She has judged many shows across Australia and is a keen advocate that showing is to be fun and educational for both exhibitors and spectators.

In addition to her alpaca passion and judging, Jillian has two teenage sons to help keep her busy with their motorbike racing, soccer, and air force cadet commitments. She breeds and shows British bulldogs and Bengal cats. Jillian is a qualified dog and cat groomer and runs her own grooming salon and shop.

Diane Marks Level 2 Judge

On leave until 31 December 2023

Diane has been involved with all facets of alpaca breeding since establishing their stud in 2000.  They have a herd of 120 suri and huacaya situated in NZ.

Diane has been an AANZ accredited Level 1 New Zealand judge since 2006 and has judged extensively throughout NZ. To increase industry knowledge Di has traveled to Australia, Peru, Canada, Germany, Austria, Sweden and studs throughout NZ. She has endeavored to attend most National shows both in NZ and Australia also conferences and in recent times have held both Suri and Huacaya fleece workshops in Sweden and Germany.

For a period of time, Di served on the NZ SJSC as a Judge Representative and later as the chair resigning in 2015.

Chris Williams Level 2 Judge

Chris diverted his professional attention to alpacas in 1992, excited by the opportunities and business potential of the industry. With an interest in the vertical integration of his alpaca business, the desire to expand his alpaca expertise and participate in the development of the Australian and international alpaca industry, Chris has developed his diverse alpaca portfolio for more than 20 years.

He is a passionate and highly successful breeder of white and coloured alpacas, with a herd of around 1200 alpacas based in South Australia. Chris has also exported alpacas to China and Europe and owns herds in Norway, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, and Italy.

His commitment to the alpaca industry has also included the manufacture and retail of alpaca clothing, the manufacture and export of alpaca quilts and blankets, the promotion and sales of alpaca meat, and the international export of both alpacas and alpaca fleece. Chris shears around 3,500 alpacas each year in Australia and 14 other countries.

Dean Ford Level 3 Judge

Dean, former owner and operator at Vista Del Sud alpaca stud breeding grey Huacaya in Australia now lives in New Zealand.

Dean is committed to the alpaca industry, being an accredited judge in both Australia and New Zealand.

As a judge, Dean is believes that the education of breeders is important and feels that by conveying descriptive and meaningful critiques with reliable comparison is paramount to the education of breeders.

Prior to becoming a judge, Dean had previously undertaken various volunteer leadership roles for the AAA including President of Victorian Central Region (VCR) and convenor of Colourbration in Bendigo, Australia which then was Australia’s largest alpaca show.

In early 2015 Dean completed his AAA judging apprenticeship and loves being able to contribute to the future of our stud stock industry.

Dean has a passion for fibre handling and classing wool, having successfully completed his professional Wool Classer certificate in 2012 to become a registered wool classer with AWEX.

In 2013 Dean assisted pilot the alpaca fibre classing within the TAFE system and successfully completed the national curriculum for classing of alpaca fibre.

Dean was honoured to be asked to judge the New Zealand National Show in 2020 followed by the fleece show at the World Alpaca Conference (WAC) in Graz, Austria in 2022.

It was an amazing opportunity to be involved in the growth of Alpaca in Europe.

Dean and Lisa Charteris are currently the two lead New Zealand judge trainers for new apprentice judges.

Rubey Williams Level 3 Judge

Rubey has been around alpacas for her entire life. Based in the Southern Highlands of NSW, her family run a herd of over 1,200 alpacas. They breed both huacaya and suri, focusing predominantly on white and light fawn. Her family stud focuses on the long-term viability of alpacas. To this end they have immersed themselves in everything the industry has to offer – from fleece, to live export and international herd management to the show movement.

In 2006, Rubey was introduced to the show ring through Junior Handling. She has since been involved in both Young Paraders and Young Judges – as a competitor and a mentor. In 2019, she was awarded the inaugural Agricultural Shows Australia (ASA) National Champion Young Alpaca Judge. She has a true love and passion for the show ring. Her family are active participants in the show circuit and their animals and fleeces have received impressive results at a state and a national level.

She is currently studying a Bachelor of Agricultural Business Management, via distance and through Charles Sturt University. She plans to utilise these skills to help her with the day to day financial decisions on farm and in aiding the transition of the family stud into a pastoral company.

Kurtis Parker Level 3 Judge

Kurtis has been surrounded by alpacas from a very young age, rarely missing an opportunity to get hands on with the alpacas. He has recently acquired his own stud where he hopes to breed alpacas with high quality fleece.

Within the industry he has always looked to expand his knowledge about alpacas and fleece characteristics from various experts in the industry. As an apprentice judge Kurtis hopes to continue to build on his understanding of desirable animal and fleece qualities and characteristics as he progresses towards becoming an alpaca judge.

Ariana McCauley Level 3 Judge

Ariana has been involved with alpacas since 1997. Together with her parents, they run their stud of 100 head on the NSW Central Coast.

With a focus on breeding coloured alpacas, Ariana enjoys the challenge and science of coloured genetics, and balancing this with advanced fibre characteristics.

Ariana is excited about the future of the alpaca industry and her enduring participation in the showing arena is a testament to her love for alpacas. She is passionate about continually educating the community, young and old, about all aspects of alpacas.

Outside of alpacas, Ariana is a pharmacist specialising in clinical research and enjoys painting, drawing and playing squash.

Taryan Mathews Apprentice Judge

Taryan, alongside her family, run a stud of 600 head alpacas in Victoria culminating many years and two generations of alpaca breeding and experience.

Taryan has dedicated herself to the alpaca industry, working with members across the country to help ensure a robust and vibrant future for alpacas in Australia. She has a passion for breeding the highest quality fibre and strongly conformed alpacas in all colours, with a view to produce colours consistently as advanced in their fibre traits as their white counterparts.

She also has a love for medical and veterinary sciences and hopes to one day complete alpaca-specific research into health issues affecting Australian alpacas.

Lee Sadler Apprentice Judge

Lee Sadler has been involved in the alpaca industry for over 20 years.  During this time, the Australian alpaca industry has developed from a livestock and breeding focus to a fibre focus.  Lee and her family run their stud on the Fleurieu Peninsula in South Australia, where they focus on white huacaya alpaca, with about 300 in their herd.  They also have an olive grove and extensive scrub and biodiversity projects on their property.

Lee is a pharmacist by training.  Her science background has been useful when assessing health and husbandry matters on farm.  She has been involved in her profession and the alpaca industry in a range of representative roles, contributing on Boards, committees and Councils across both sectors.

Lee’s involvement with the Australia College of Pharmacy and the University of South Australia, have also provided the opportunity to be develop skills and knowledge in the field of adult education.

James Wheeler Apprentice Judge

On leave until 31 December 2023

James first became involved in the alpaca industry in Australia in 2006, establishing his own stud in 2008. James has been a full and active member of the AAA ever since. In the spring of 2017, James left his job in information technology to farm alpacas full time and now manages / assists in the management of approximately 700 alpacas (90% huacaya, 10% suri) across two properties in South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula.

James believes passionately in the future of a sustainable alpaca industry within Australian and is involved in many facets of the industry. This includes the shearing of approximately 6000 head of alpaca annually throughout SA, VIC, QLD and NSW. He also classes, sells and ships large volumes of raw alpaca fleece across four continents.