When Georgie Wallace finished high school, going to
agricultural college wasn’t the done thing for women.
Rather, her love of animals and a keen interest in farming
meant her training was more hands-on at Trefusis, the
Tasmanian property that’s been in her family for 100 years.
When Georgie Wallace finished high school, going to agricultural college wasn’t the done thing for women. Rather, her love of animals and a keen interest in farming meant her training was more hands-on at Trefusis, the
Tasmanian property that’s been in her family for 100 years.
“I would have given my eyeteeth to go to ag college,” she says, “but it just didn’t happen then. My parents suggested I work here, and no doubt at times I irritated my father to no end, but I really loved it.”
“I would have given my eyeteeth to go to ag college,” she says, “but it just didn’t happen then. My parents suggested I work here, and no doubt at times I irritated my father to no end, but I really loved it.”
“I would have given my eyeteeth to go to ag college,” she says, “but it just didn’t happen then. My parents suggested I work here, and no doubt at times I irritated my father to no end, but I really loved it.”
The respected merino stud breeder has now been working in the industry for over 40 years and has an impressive list of accolades to her name, not least being elected the first female president of the Australian Association of Stud Merino Breeders in 2015, and becoming an Honorary Life Member of the association in 2023.
But the 60-year-old remains humble about her achievements and instead effuses the qualities of her beloved merinos. “They're such a wonderful, versatile animal who produce a beautiful fibre with so many properties,” she says.
The respected merino stud breeder has now been working in the industry for over 40 years and has an impressive list of accolades to her name, not least being elected the first female president of the Australian Association of Stud Merino Breeders in 2015, and becoming an Honorary Life Member of the association in 2023.
But the 60-year-old remains humble about her achievements and instead effuses the qualities of her beloved merinos. “They're such a wonderful, versatile animal who produce a beautiful fibre with so many properties,” she says.
The respected merino stud breeder has now been working in the industry for over 40 years and has an impressive list of accolades to her name, not least being elected the first female president of the Australian Association of Stud Merino Breeders in 2015, and becoming an Honorary Life Member of the association in 2023.
But the 60-year-old remains humble about her achievements and instead effuses the qualities of her beloved merinos. “They're such a wonderful, versatile animal who produce a beautiful fibre with so many properties,” she says.
“We've become such a throwaway
society and I think there’s a real push
now for ethically-grown fibres.”
“We've become such a throwaway society and I think there’s a real push now for ethically-grown fibres.”
Georgie and her husband, Hamish, 65, along with their three daughters, Emily, and twins Annabel and Lucy, took over the 7000-hectare property in 2007 when her parents retired. Georgina runs the merino stud side of the business, while Hamish takes care of farm management. Daughter, Annabel, recently returned with her partner, Jack, and six-month-old son Wilbur – the extra hands conveniently arrived just in time for lamb-marking.
Georgie and her husband, Hamish, 65, along with their three daughters, Emily, and twins Annabel and Lucy, took over the 7000-hectare property in 2007 when her parents retired. Georgina runs the merino stud side of the business, while Hamish takes care of farm management. Daughter, Annabel, recently returned with her partner, Jack, and six-month-old son Wilbur – the extra hands conveniently arrived just in time for lamb-marking.
Georgie and her husband, Hamish, 65, along with their three daughters, Emily, and twins Annabel and Lucy, took over the 7000-hectare property in 2007 when her parents retired. Georgina runs the merino stud side of the business, while Hamish takes care of farm management. Daughter Annabel, recently returned with her partner, Jack, and six-month-old son Wilbur – the extra hands conveniently arrived just in time for lamb-marking.
Annabel, 33, says they feel incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to move home to Trefusis where Jack has taken on the role of farm manager alongside Hamish. “I can't imagine Mum taking much of a step back too soon,” Hannah says. “She’s very passionate about her stud and the merino industry.”
Annabel, 33, says they feel incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to move home to Trefusis where Jack has taken on the role of farm manager alongside Hamish. “I can't imagine Mum taking much of a step back too soon,” Hannah says. “She’s very passionate about her stud and the merino industry.”
Annabel, 33, says they feel incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to move home to Trefusis where Jack has taken on the role of farm manager alongside Hamish. “I can't imagine Mum taking much of a step back too soon,” Hannah says. “She’s very passionate about her stud and the merino industry.”
When reflecting on the shifting representation of women
in agriculture and suggestions she’s been a trailblazer
in the wool industry, Georgie is predictably no-fuss.
When reflecting on the shifting representation of women in agriculture and suggestions she’s been a trailblazer in the wool industry, Georgie is predictably no-fuss.
“Quite often I've been the only female in a
boardroom but it doesn't faze me. I don't like to
bang on about being a female in the agricultural
industry, I just get on and do what I do because
I'm passionate about it and I enjoy it. There are
so many opportunities for females in agriculture
now - the world is their oyster really.”
“Quite often I've been the only female in a boardroom but it doesn't faze me. I don't like to bang on about being a female in the agricultural industry, I just get on and do what I do because I'm passionate about it and I enjoy it. There are so many opportunities for females in agriculture now - the world is their oyster really.”
