The AAA is supported by eight regional committees who serve the needs of local members and providing support to the AAA in meeting it’s national and local challenges.
The regional committees are active throughout Australia and provide on-the-ground education and training, industry liaison, marketing and shows to promote the alpaca industry.
For many Queenslanders, owning alpacas is a wonderful way to enjoy rural living while caring for gentle and fascinating animals. Alpacas are well suited to lifestyle properties and small farms, offering companionship, beautiful fibre, and a low-impact grazing option for landowners.
While Queensland’s climate varies across the state, alpacas can thrive in many regions when provided with shade, fresh water, and thoughtful care. With proper management, they adapt well to local conditions and become a rewarding part of farm life.
Queensland also has a welcoming alpaca community, with experienced breeders and owners happy to help newcomers learn about these unique animals and the joys of alpaca ownership.
Region committee:
Michelle Hamilton – President
E: aaaqldpresident@gmail.com
Peter De Vreede – Secretary
E: aaaqldsecretary@gmail.com
Jessie Raines – Treasurer
E: aaaqldtreasurer@gmail.com
Committee Members
Dawn Haughton-Wyatt
Michelle Harris
Elizabeth Smith
Margaret Hassell
Katie Stevens
Sarah Perrie
Queensland Breeder Directory
QLD Breeders Directory (2) 2026.pdf
The South Queensland Northern NSW Region of the Australian Alpaca Association is the only one to span two states, extending from the Brisbane River in the north, south to Coffs Harbour, and stretching inland to the NT/SA border. We have members with experience in farming alpacas in coastal and inland environments. As a region we support our members and the Australian alpaca industry by sharing our knowledge and experience at field days and shows, hosting educational events and social activities, and regular communications such as our regional newsletter, The Advocate, and member emails.
Region contact:
Michelle Malt
E: bigskypacas@gmail.com
The Committee
| Michelle Malt
President, Marketing |
Pauline Glasser
Vice President, Newsletter Editor |
| Sam Hood
Secretary |
Judy Barlow
Treasurer |
| Cathy Reid
Show Co-ordinator |
Maree Dobbins
Committee Member |
Hall of Fame
2019 – Michelle Malt
Michelle Malt receives her Certificate of Appreciation from AAA President Ian Frith at the 2019 AAA AGM.
2020 – Roland Schwertner
2021 – Cathy and Noel Reid
2022 – Pauline Glasser
The AAA Board awarded Pauline Glasser with a Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of her leadership and contribution to the Australian Alpaca Industry.
2023 – Judy Barlow.
Judy Barlow receives her Certificate of Appreciation from SQNNSW President Michelle Malt at the Annual Regional Meeting.
2024 – Pauline Glasser – SHANE READ MEDAL
SQNNSW President Michelle Malt presents Pauline Glasser with the Shane Read Medal on behalf of the AAA. The award was announced at the 2024 AAA AGM and its purpose is to acknowledge and honor an exceptional volunteer for their achievement, contribution, service and leadership.
The Hall of Fame exists to recognise and honour the achievements of individuals in the alpaca industry.
Regional Merchandise
The SQNNSW Region strongly promotes and supports Australian alpaca and has a diverse range of alpaca merchandise which is sold at displays and events. As much as possible, the fleece used to create the stock is grown by alpaca producers within SQNNSW Region, and is processed into yarn by local spinners or a NSW fibre mill. The products are created by artisans across the region and within Australia to showcase the quality of Australian alpaca fibre. Our aim is for every household to own and enjoy an alpaca product. Products that are sourced commercially – such as socks, pillows and quilts – are sourced from Australian-based manufacturers who aim to use Australian grown fibre and produce Australian-made goods.
The Victoria Central Region(VCR) comprises alpaca producers from central to western Victoria. The region actively promotes the alpaca industry with educational seminars, workshops, shows, promotional displays and open farm days as well as providing valuable support to its members.
Region contact:
Marie Yorston
E: vcrpresident@gmail.com
Victoria Eastern
The Victorian Eastern Region (VER) represents registered alpaca breeders and owners located in the geographically diverse area in the east of Victoria. Members farm alpacas across many aspects of the Australian terrain – from the vineyards of the Yarra Valley and the Mornington Peninsula, to the rich soil farming districts of Gippsland, the coastal extension from Port Phillip to Mallacoota and the grandeur of the Great Dividing Range.
Region contact:
VER President – Jacqueline Bishop
VER treasurer – Georgia Bishop
VER Secretary – Rachel Burnet
Committee:
Megan Gridley
Em Gridley
Tim Blake
See below for a full list of award winners and volunteers recognised.
Dianne Condon Memorial Trophy: Best New Breeder Award
Inaugurated July 2012
Dianne loved alpacas and the Industry with a passion.
A long standing member of the Region, Dianne served extensively at both regional and national committee level. In co-ownership with her husband Ron, their highly successful Shanbrooke Alpaca Stud gained early world-wide recognition. A national and international Show judge, Dianne was accorded an AAA Life Membership for her service to the Industry. Dianne, who passed away on 12th January 2012, is remembered with great affection.
Lyla Fisher Memorial Trophy: HUACAYA Alpaca of the Year – Inaugurated in May 2002.
Lyla was a foundation member of the Region and from the early ʻ90s to her untimely passing in 2002, was totally committed to the Region and to the Alpaca Industry, serving the Region in every possible capacity – a highly reputed alpaca breeder; show organiser and programmer; a dedicated committee member, Secretary, Treasurer, Vice-President and President. Her legacy lives on with us, through this award.
Lyla Fisher Memorial Trophy – HUACAYA Alpaca of the Year Winners
Keith Turner Memorial Trophy: SURI Alpaca of the Year – Inaugurated in April 2010.
Keith, a product of Dookie College, with cattle and dairy farm origins that began in South Gippsland, traversed into Queensland and returned to South Gippsland where he and his wife Glenda established Mawbanna Alpacas. Keithʼs animal husbandry background together with Glendaʼs alpaca fibre processing skills created a successful venture into quality Suri breeding. Together the couple travelled Australia to learn of the processing of alpaca fleece and further develop their involvement in specialised alpaca handcrafts.
An outdoors man, an ambassador for the alpaca industry, Keith passed away in 2009.
Keith Turner Memorial Trophy – SURI Alpaca of the Year – Inaugurated in April 2010 Winners
Bill Plunkett Memorial Trophy: HUACAYA Fleece Competition – Inaugurated in April 2007.
Affectionately known as “The Godfather”, Bill passed away in 2006. A long serving committeeman, a Vice-President and President of the Region and Chairman of the Regional Showing Sub-committee, Bill was the force behind the Show rules and protocols we adhere to today. The consummate Chief Steward, his workshops throughout Australia and NZ stand as testimony to his skill. His unique love of natural fibers lives on through this award.
Bill Plunkett Memorial Trophy – HUACAYA Fleece Competition – Inaugurated in April 2007 Winners
SURI Fleece Competition
AAA Certificates of Appreciation
AAA Certificate of Appreciation Recipients
History of VER Awards
Introductory dates of the trophies are:
1995 : (The Region’s 1st Gala Dinner)
2002:
2004:
2007:
2008:
2010:
2012:
The NSW region is a vibrant and exciting region with approximately 200 registered alpaca breeders across the state. Across the region, members also facilitate regular educational opportunities on alpaca husbandry, fleece harvesting and preparation and other aspects of alpaca industry development. All NSW alpaca owners are encouraged to participate in the Australian Alpaca Association and its activities. Many of our enthusiastic and friendly members will mentor new alpaca owners to support their entry to the Australian alpaca industry.
Region Committee Contacts
| President: Neil Parker E: NSWpresident@alpaca.asn.auSouthern Highlands0428 771 264 |
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| Vice President: Nigel Thompson
E: NSWvicepresident@alpaca.asn.au Lower Hunter 0439 475 493
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| Secretary: Robyn Hamilton
Marulan, Southern Highlands 0417 480 710
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| Treasurer: Rob Harborne
Murrumbateman, Southern NSW 0417 998 897
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| Events Coordinator: Martina Lando
Upper Hunter
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| Public Relations: Guy Curtis
E: NSWpublicrelations@alpaca.asn.au South Coast
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| Newsletter Coordinator: Sue Tiley
E: NSWnewsletter@alpaca.asn.au Central Coast
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| Training Coordinator: Jenny Carey
E: info.forestglen@gmail.com Central Western NSW 0487 227 068
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| NSW Youth Representative
E: alpacayouth@gmail.com Southern NSW
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Tasmania’s cool temperate climate and green pastures are the perfect combination for producing fine fleeced, eco-friendly alpacas. The Tasmanian Region has members located all around the state. The region has a busy schedule of shows, on-farm days and workshops.
Region committee:
President: Janelle Jago
E: aaataspresident@gmail.com
Vice President: Steve Young
Secretary: Kim Young
Committee Members:
Byron Jago
Janelle Craig
James Thomson
Karen Gowlet Holmes
Dawn Aspinall
Elke Phren
AAA Tas Region Calendar of Events 2025
| Date | Event | Location |
| 8 – 10 August | AAA National Alpaca Show | Bendigo |
| 16 August | Ordinary General Meeting (ORM) and
Worm workshop |
Ross Town Hall
Supper Room |
| 13 or 14 September | Fleece workshop
Paul Vallely and Janet Bell (AAFT) |
TBA |
| 5 October | Annual Regional Meeting (ARM) and
proposed alpaca dentist Alison Quagliani workshop |
Date and location to be confirmed |
| 1 and 2 November | Royal Hobart Show – fleeces on 1st, halter on 2nd | Hobart Showground |
Western Australia is one of the larger AAA geographic regions. WA members excel in breeding alpacas and contributing to the fleece and meat market, while maintaining an impressive display of show and breeding quality animals. The region hosts a variety of educational workshops, events, field days and new breeder seminars throughout the year for AAA members and anyone interested in the industry.
Region contact:
Tara Ravenhill
E: tararavenhill@gmail.com
Regional Committee
Sharon Sheehan – Vice President
Louise Holbrook – Treasurer
Natasha James – Secretary
De-Anne Muller Watson – Committee member
WA Alpaca Shows for 2025
Albany AG Show 6th & 7th of November 2025
Thursday 06.11.25 – Fleece Judging
Friday 07.11.25 – Halter Judging
Convenors: Nicole & Shaun Read & Tyler Bennie
The South Australia region provides education and training to its members as well as providing a hub of alpaca information for the general public interested in the industry.
Region contact:
President: Mark Short
Email: chaparral6@bigpond.com
Vice President: Greg Scarlett
Secretary: Rebecca Ballantyne
Treasurer: Katy Armson-Graham
Committee members:
Ruth Crocker
Tammy Hall
Andrew Hall
Sharyn Jennings
Lee Ballantyne
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