TOP SIRE 2026–2027 INDUSTRY NEWS MUNSIE’S VBC EXCELLENCE AWARD A Northern Tablelands wool-growing family has been recognised for over 50 years of dedicated breeding, receiving the prestigious 2025 Vitale Barberis Canonico Wool Excellence Award. The award was presented in Melbourne in November, where VBC Chief Executive Officer Alessandro Barberis Canonico commended the achievements of the Munsie family, “Big Ridge”, Uralla, and acknowledged their commitment to superfine Saxon Merino wool production. “The Wool Excellence Club is built on a shared belief – belief in quality, in sustainability and in the people who make this industry extraordinary,” he said. “Richard and his family embody this belief through their dedication and care for their land, their animals and producing this beautiful fibre.” The family’s entry under the GMunsie / Big Ridge / N.E. brand was a 16-micron clip which yielded 76 to 78% with a tensile strength of 40 to 45 Newtons per kilotex in grown wool. Richard and his family run 950 self-replacing Merino ewes in the Uralla district as well as 600 first cross ewes and backgrounding Angus steers. He returned to the farm 12 years ago, joining the successful partnership with his father, Greg, and his uncle, Peter, that had already been established. “My father did most of the husbandry and my uncle took care of the breeding and classing,” Richard said. “My uncle was all about the wool and his judgement was pretty good. Whatever you produce, it should be high quality. When you produce something, you should be getting the best price for the quality,” Richard said. Receiving the award was a bittersweet moment for Richard, who paid tribute to his late father. “I am standing here today, accepting this award on behalf of my family and all the years of hard work that have got us to this point,” he said, when accepting the award. “Without their commitment and dedication, I would not be here in this position receiving this award. I hope that I can carry this legacy forward and keep improving into the future for the next generation. 1– 2– Photo captions. 1– Richard Munsie and son Asher, with Greg and Peter. 2– Greg and Peter Munsie inspecting fleeces at their property “Big Ridge”, Uralla. (Photos: Supplied) – 21 –
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