Each year, professionals 35 years and younger and working within the International wool industry are invited to apply for the Young Professionals Programme. The IWTO’s Young Professionals Programme then matches selected young wool professionals with a senior mentor to guide them as they gain an insider’s view of the global wool textile industry and network throughout the 4 days of the Congress.
Teresa, a 7th generation member of a farming and wool growing family, has known from a very early age that she would be committing herself to a life in agriculture and in particular the wool industry.
Ms Hogan said ‘I think I was born with a love for sheep and wool, it’s a part of who I am, I can thank mum and dad for that’.
Teresa has extensive knowledge and experience in farming and owns and operates a small but growing flock of Superfine Merinos on the family farm in Merriwa NSW.
Before working with WoolProducers, Teresa completed a Bachelor of Rural Science and has worked in a diverse range of roles within a practical livestock and farming capacity. She has held positions in livestock and farming management and is also a registered AWEX woolclasser.
‘I am excited and honoured for the opportunity to attend the IWTO Congress. It is a really exciting time to be in this industry as wool is increasingly recognised as the sustainable, resilient and multifunctional fibre for the future.
Anyone that knows me, knows that I don’t ever miss an opportunity to chat about wool so I am looking forward to the immense networking and professional learning experiences offered by the mentor programme and the Congress as a whole.’
‘There is so much opportunity for young people in this industry and I hope to use this experience to encourage other likeminded individuals to map their own sheep and wool industry future’. Ms Hogan said.
Teresa will be joining 20 other young professionals from across the world for the duration of the congress, involving networking, meetings, seminars, presentations and facility tours.
WoolProducers President, Richard Halliday and CEO, Jo Hall are also attending the IWTO Congress and represented Australian woolgrowers in yesterday’s IWTO Working Groups.