Tasmanian District Wool Manager Mel Morris has a true passion for wool and is a fierce advocate for her wool growing clients.
Mel Morris has dedicated her whole professional career to wool, with a background in wool classing and wool handling.
“I was a professional wool handler, on a competitive level, for 14 years, and when I moved on from that, I became a trainer in wool handling for a further six years,” she said.
“Following that, I started with Elders in September last year, as a District Wool Manager working across Tasmania.”
In her role, Mel brings that experience to her wool clients, advising on anything from ram selection and genetics, all the way through to wool sales and marketing opportunities.
“My work means that I need to be adaptable, and basically assist my clients with whatever they need,” she said.
“I provide hands-on advice on improving the quality and quantity of their clip, assist with Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) accreditations, selling options and also keep clients updated with knowledge of wool markets.”
Mel’s dedication to her clients does not stop at their clip. In a tougher year for the wool industry, morale and mental health are front of mind.
“I have formed a group called the Pink Belles, who are female wool growers in Tasmania,” she said.
“The purpose of the group is to look after them, get them off farm and start conversations; it hasn’t been an easy year, so I am trying to keep their spirits up. I want to make sure my clients feel supported.”
Most recently, Mel has been excited to witness Elders’ latest investment into wool, with the opening of world-first wool handling business, Elders Wool. Based around two centralised hubs in Melbourne and Perth, Elders Wool delivers an end-to-end service for wool growers across Australia.
For the first time ever, bales are moved at the new Melbourne centre using autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs), which are driverless, low-energy forklifts. The AGVs, combined with racking designed to hold over 60,000 bales, create quite the spectacle, and Mel has been pleased to show some of her clients around the centre.
“The new wool centre in Melbourne is out of this world,” Mel said.
“It’s a wonderful investment in our industry and it is exciting to work for a company which is showing confidence in wool and our wool growers.”