From the Classroom to the Shearing Shed: Raelene’s Global Impact on the Wool Industry.
In 2023 and 2024 at the invitation of the Falkland Islands Government, Raelene Laidlaw took her expertise to the remote and rugged outpost in the South Atlantic.
At RIST, Raelene Laidlaw has long been a respected educator and mentor, inspiring the next generation of wool classers and industry leaders. Her passion for excellence, hands-on teaching style, and deep commitment to the wool industry have left a lasting impression on countless students and colleagues throughout South West Victoria. But her impact doesn’t stop at the classroom door—it stretches far beyond Australia’s borders.
In 2023 and 2024 at the invitation of the Falkland Islands Government (FIG), Raelene took her expertise to the remote and rugged outpost in the South Atlantic. There, she worked closely with local wool growers providing training and professional development workshops focussed on improving the preparation and presentation of their wool clip—an initiative that began with a conversation in 2022 with Katrina Durham, then Head of Agriculture at the FIG Department of Agriculture. Originally focused on qualifying wool classers to Australian standards, the project evolved into a broader mission to upskill all wool growers on the islands.
During her visits, Raelene conducted workshops attended by the majority of the Falkland Islands’ 80 wool growers. The sessions took place in shearing sheds and coincided with active shearing on some properties, offering valuable real-time learning experiences. Her workshops focused on enhancing clip uniformity and presentation—key factors in building buyer confidence in Falklands wool on the global stage.
The Falkland Islands, with their wild weather and limited infrastructure, present unique challenges. Sheep are not housed during winter and rely on natural land formations for shelter. The growing season is tightly controlled by the climate, with shearing only permitted from September 15 to March 15. Growers also face high freight costs when sending wool to markets in South America or Europe. Despite these hurdles, Raelene found the local community to be incredibly generous, welcoming, and determined to sustain their farming futures.
From learning local traditions like the game of “dicing” to visiting farms that double as tourist lodgings, Raelene was deeply inspired by the resilience and innovation of the Falkland growers. She notes, “The principles we use in Australia are so relevant here. It’s incredible to see how passionate these growers are about producing top-quality fibre despite the harsh environment.”
This collaboration continues with support from current FIG Head of Agriculture Matt Davies and Agriculture Advisor Lucy Ellis.
For Raelene, it’s been more than a professional experience—it’s been a deeply meaningful exchange of knowledge, culture, and community spirit.
Raelene’s pictures from The Falklands Islands.
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