WHEN it comes to promoting local wool, Joseph Cook isn’t one to be sheepish.
The WA Superfine Woolgrowers Association member donated three fleeces to a bale of superfine wool, which was made into fabric in Italy.
The fabric was sent to Curtin University students to turn into garments that were shown at the Perth Fashion Festival.
Locals will have a chance to see these superfine wool garments at a fashion parade on October 15 at the Taste of the Shire wine and cheese night for the Margaret River and Districts Show.
Mr Cook said he had concerns for the future of the wool industry with rumours garment laboratory Design for Comfort, a joint research project between Curtin University and the Agriculture and Food Department, was under threat of closure.
Mr Cook has written to Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman in protest.
“Australia was built on a sheep’s back,” he said.
“Is nothing sacred any more?”
Recently, Farm Weekly reported the rumours of the program closure had been quashed by the Agriculture and Food Department.
However, it has not ended concerns about where the program is going, and how its loss would affect the WA wool industry.
Mr Cook said he hoped people would help put pressure on the government to protect the laboratory and the future of WA sheep farmers.
