Our Board

Brett Fallon President

brett@alpaca.asn.au

0408403910

2020

Brett has been a member of the AAA since 2001 and operates a stud and commercial breeding herd of huacaya and suri alpaca in Western Australia. He is full-time employed as an Agribusiness Finance Manager and enjoys spending his down time managing the farm with help from his young family.

Brett is passionate about the long-term viability of the alpaca industry in Australia and believes that the Association has an important role to play in this.

Sue Harris Company Secretary

“Sue has been a member of the AAA with her partner, John Harris, since 2006. After running a small herd on agistment at another stud for some years, Sue started breeding alpacas at her farm in the Otway Ranges in southern Victoria in 2012. Onyx Alpacas breeds black alpacas, both huacaya and suri, and focuses on fleece production, selling most of its annual clip to a small local mill.

Sue practised as a lawyer in Victoria for more than 35 years. She was a partner with Madgwicks Lawyers in Melbourne before retiring from legal practice at the end of 2019. Sue also has a PhD in Legal and Political Philosophy from the University of Melbourne.

Sue has a background in not-for-profit organisations having been a director of the Victorian Arts Council in the 1980s and a Director of COTA Victoria in 2017.

Sue is currently the Board representative on the Showing and Judging Committee and is the Director responsible for eAlpaca.”

sue@alpaca.asn.au

0402 032 474

2021

Mick Williams Director

info@alpaca.asn.au

2020

Mick has spent almost all this life surrounded by natural fibre, having spent the majority of his formative years on a third-generation merino sheep station outside Inverell.  Mick is a full-time Australian commercial alpaca farmer.

With his family, their stud run in excess of 1,000 animals, encompassing 360 degrees of alpaca – show ring, animal sales, fleece, meat, youth development, genetic improvement (SP ratio, phenotype and predictability), research, eco-tourism, cafe/retail outlet, paddock/pasture improvement, export, and international alpaca consulting.

Mick brings a wide range of business skills, academic qualifications and enthusiasm to his role on the Board.

Julie Wilkinson Director

julie@alpaca.asn.au

0407 889 669

2020

Julie Wilkinson has worked in Environmental Consulting for 30 years She has a Bachelor of Education (Environmental Science) and a Masters Degree in Environmental Science. In January 1995, Julie set up a consulting practice  with a partner. Her areas of expertise include community consultation, environmental education and training, environmental impact assessment and environmental management. She has assisted clients as varied as the mining industry, universities, tourism developers, the banking sector, airlines, government departments and food manufacturers.

Julie has been involved in the alpaca industry since 2001 and currently manages a herd of 1000 suris. Julie has been involved in industry development, particularly in regard to Research and Development and Education portfolios on the Suri Subcommittee, participation in the AAA Environmental Management Working Party, Editor of the Victorian Central Region magazine The Yarn for 5 years and Editor and publisher of a promotional magazine Alpacas Victoria. She has recently been a member of the Suri Fibre Development Group, the AAA Education and Training Working Group, and the Showing and Judging Committee.

Julie has participated in alpaca shows in Victoria and around the country since joining the industry and was convenor of the Wangaratta show for 3 years. She has also assisted in the preparation of fleeces for the Colourbration/Spectacular shows as a steward. She is passionate about suri fleece showing and commercialisation of the alpaca fleece industry. In 2019 she developed (with consultation) a new micron-based show format and held the inaugural Commercial Fleece Show at Bendigo Sheep and Wool Show. Julie has hosted a number of shearing and fleece handling workshops, fleece collection and sorting for the NZ Rumplestiltskin project, researched fleece processing in Peru and has set up an online store for sales of alpaca fleece, yarn and knitted product. Julie proudly works with and supplies fleece to a number of  totally Australian grown and processed fashion labels.

Lee Sadler Vice President

lee@alpaca.asn.au

0414 585 955

2020

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 the farm.  She has been involved in their profession and the alpaca industry in a range of representative roles, contributing on boards, committees and councils across both sectors.

Lee has also participated in the Governors Leadership Foundation Program, run by the Leaders Institute of South Australia.  This has afforded her an intensive and rewarding opportunity to consider the breadth and challenges of leadership on many fronts. Lee’s involvement with the Australia College of Pharmacy and the University of South Australia, have also provided the opportunity to  develop skills and knowledge in the field of adult education.

Annemarie Ashton-Wyatt Director

email: annemarie@alpaca.asn.au

Mobile: 0439 930 501

2021

Annemarie started breeding alpacas in 2013 and has a herd of about 90 head in Verona in the Bega Valley of NSW. Wedgetail Rise Alpacas focuses on fleece production and sales of artisan woven and felted items direct to the public through their farm shop. Prior to joining the AAA Board, she has been on the Market Access and Trade Committee since 2019.

Annemarie is an experienced social researcher and studied demography and social research at the ANU in Canberra. She is currently the Principal Consultant for Elm Consulting Australia, providing strategic advice, analysis and research services to businesses and government. Previously she was the Senior Researcher at the Regional Australia Institute and focused on sustainable economic growth in regional communities.

Annemarie is responsible for the AAA strategic industry development and research portfolio. She is passionate about improving understanding of how the alpaca industry contributes to the diversification and sustainability of Australian agriculture.

Andy Bousie Director

Andrew’s Alpaca journey started only 4 years ago when he and his partner relocated from Sydney to the Adelaide Hills. After starting with 4 they have grown their herd to 20 and recently moved to a larger property to support the growth both in numbers and interest. Their Colwood Stud recently won 3 ribbons at the Strathalbyn Show which was an inspiring start.

Andrew’s career spanned 30 years in the Retail / Manufacturing industry where he held CEO roles for some of the most respected Australian and International Brands. Brand Marketing, manufacturing and sourcing of textiles have been at the centre of his career and hopes to bring this experience and knowledge to the Australian Alpaca industry.

Alexandra Maramenides Director

Alexandra is passionate about growing organisations with a powerful purpose. Since graduating from Cambridge University, Alexandra has worked in the publishing industry for over twenty years. For the past twelve years she has run global publishing businesses in Australia, and overseas. and she is the founder of a screen and literary agency.

Alexandra is an energetic leader, with experience in diverse areas; from creative vision and concepts, to manufacturing, sales and distribution. She has been a director of boards and is on the Melbourne Executive Committee of YPO (Young President’s Organization). Alexandra brings enthusiasm and commitment to the aims and ambitions of the AAA.