TOP SIRE 2026–2027 BEYOND THE FARM A SWEATY GYM SESSION SPARKED SIR W. MERINO Jock Merriman grew up in the Merino wool industry, though it wasn’t until later in life that he truly appreciated the value of Merino wool clothing from the eyes of a consumer. This newfound appreciation was sparked by a simple yet significant event: a sweaty gym workout wearing a sample t-shirt made from Australian Merino wool. This t-shirt not only changed his perspective but also set larger wheels in motion, leading him to explore the potential of Merino wool in men’s fashion. Jock’s family has a rich history in the Merino breeding industry, spanning five generations and more than 145 years. Growing up on the family’s Merino stud near Boorowa, Jock recalls wearing few wool garments. “We didn’t wear it much because there wasn’t a lot available aside from the big, heavy knit sweaters,” he said. Jock’s view of Merino clothing would change in his adult life when he was gifted a grey Merino t-shirt sample by a colleague at Australian Wool Innovation. “I wore it to the gym and sweated it out one day. The next day, it was back to normal,” he remembered. “I had this light bulb moment.” The qualities of Merino wool were already well understood by Jock, though he found a new level of appreciation for the fibre after wearing it that day. Accustomed to polyester-based activewear and cotton-blend corporate work shirts, Jock said he assumed that clothes were simply meant to smell bad by the end of each workout or workday. – 24 –
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