Kangaroo Island Wool

Most people know I am not a fashionista, but I had to try on this woollen hat, designed, developed, and made by Kangaroo Island Wool. Eat your heart out, Akubra. This is a truly Australian product made from KI wool on KI. The hat is knitted and then felted!

Kangaroo Island Wool is a vertically integrated company with high animal welfare, sustainability, and ethical standards. It has survived the bushfires and is unique in Australia.

Wool has been a staple for KI since the 1830s. The industry boasted 1.24 million sheep before the collapse of the reserve price scheme around 1990.

When the price collapsed, many woolgrowers left the industry.

Others diversified into other agricultural products and tourism, helping to create the unique industries and attractions that thrive on the Island today.

In the middle of the turbulent 1990s, veterinarians Greg Johnsson and Deb Lehmann launched the Kangaroo Island Sheep Production Group, using scientific methods and research to "lift productivity, profitability and sustainability" for island farmers.

In 2011, the two vets teamed up with 18 farmers to form the Kangaroo Island Wool Company, which markets the best of Kangaroo Island wool to discerning international buyers.Our group has grown over the years; we are now 22 farmers, two vets, and a sales and marketing manager.

As the tourism industry flourished and Kangaroo Island's global reputation grew, Kangaroo Island Wool saw increased interest in their farming endeavours from visitors. Recognizing there was a demand for Island-grown woollen garments, which we can now offer thanks to Australian manufacturing.

Today, the group is working to establish a vertically integrated business from the sheep to superb high-end woollen garments on KI. The latest project is knitted hats that are then felted.

I can't recommend the tour highly enough.Read more