Following International Women’s Day, it is an important time to reflect on the role women continue to play across the wool industry and within Fox & Lillie Rural. From wool representatives and classers through to administration and leadership, women are contributing across every part of the business and helping shape the future of the industry.
At Fox & Lillie Rural, we currently have 25 female staff members, representing 24.25% of our workforce this financial year. We are also proud to have more female leaders in the company than ever before, reflecting a positive shift in both opportunity and representation.
While this data has only recently begun to be formally tracked, it highlights a strong and stable workforce. The average tenure of female staff sits at 6.42 years, well above the national average of 3.32 years, demonstrating both commitment and long-term career pathways within the business. The average age across this group is 35, reinforcing the balance of experience and emerging leadership.
A strong example of the next generation in wool is Sarah Polderman, a Wool Representative working across our Hamilton and Casterton stores. Now three years into her role, Sarah enjoys the opportunity to meet a wide range of people and work closely with clients. She describes the role as one where she is “always learning something,” highlighting the dynamic nature of the industry. When asked what advice she would give to young people considering a career in wool, Sarah keeps it simple, “just have a go, reach out, find someone who’s in it and talk to them, learn as much as you can”.
Opportunities for connection, learning and leadership continue to grow across the industry, with events such as the Women in Wool Conference playing an important role. The conference is centred around a clear mission: to empower women across the global wool industry, equipping them to excel as leaders and helping to shape a more inclusive and progressive future.
This year’s event featured keynote speakers including Dianna Jacobsen, Founder and Director of SHINE at Agribusiness, Michelle Redfern, Gender Equity Strategist, Author and Founder of Advancing Women in Business and Sport, and Vanessa Bell, CEO and Founder. Attendees took part in engaging breakout sessions covering areas such as artificial intelligence, leadership, brand innovation and financial capability, as well as panel discussions exploring the future of the wool industry. The event concluded with a Gala Dinner and Awards Night, recognising achievements across the sector.
Women have always played a vital role in wool, and that contribution continues to grow. At Fox & Lillie Rural, we are proud to support and work alongside women across our business and the broader industry, and to be part of a future where their impact continues to strengthen and evolve.
