AWN AWN is celebrating the outstanding achievement of South Australian Wool & Sheep Specialist, Jared Phillips, who was ranked as a top-three finalist for the highly prestigious National Council of Wool Selling Brokers of Australia (NCWSBA) Young Broker of the Year Award for 2025.
Established by the NCWSBA in 2012, this award is Australia’s premier recognition for excellence in the wool broking industry. Its purpose is to foster excellence in young wool brokers, raise the industry’s profile, and encourage young people and graduates to pursue a career in wool broking.
As a finalist, Jared gained valuable exposure by presenting his work to judges and industry leaders and participated in a broader development and training programme for young brokers.
Based in the Mid North but covering a large area with clients across much of the state, Jared’s achievement recognises his comprehensive industry expertise, commitment to client value, and deep engagement across the Australian wool community.
A Journey of Excellence & Mentorship
Raised on the Eyre Peninsula, Jared’s journey with AWN actually began in July 2017 in the Tasmanian Wool Store, learning valuable pricing and buying skills that he then brought back into South Australia shortly afterwards, working between a number of Private Buying Operations around SA and Victoria before taking over the management of the Yorke Peninsula Wool Buying Division.
Shortly after there was another opportunity to step up into a Wool Brokerage role in 2021 under the direct mentorship of not only AWN’s then-retiring South Australian Wool Marketing Manager, Peter Hayman, but also under AWN’s South Australian State Manager, Rod Miller, who has over 50 years of experience in the wool industry, his tutelage under these stalwarts of the Australian Wool Brokerage industry lifted Jared to new heights as a standout Wool & Sheep Specialist.
Jared’s recognition as a national finalist is a testament to his dedication, deep industry knowledge, and unwavering commitment to his clients, to AWN, to his local communities, and to the broader Australian wool community as a whole.
Driving Commercial Innovation in Ethical Wool
Jared has leveraged his near two decades of experience with wool in the shearing sheds, beginning as a roustabout, presser, classer, and progressing to achieve his Masterclasser Qualification, to drive significant commercial results for his clients by ensuring shed operations align with market driven factors, but also offering Wool Clip Analysis, Weekly Market Breakdowns and insights and utilising a close connection with the Selling Team on the Show Floor for up-to-date information.
An important focus of his role is securing premium markets for growers transitioning to accredited non-mulesed wool. He serves as an Authorised Auditor for The Schneider Group’s Authentico® Integrity Scheme, and supports clients in The New Zealand Merino Company‘s (NZM) ZQ Programme. Jared’s expertise has allowed him to deliver tangible outcomes, securing premiums of up to 200 cents per kilogram for suitable clips.
Welfare & Mentorship: The Full-Service Broker
Jared’s dedication extends beyond the woolshed, encompassing community welfare and the development of future industry leaders. As a certified Mental Health First Aider and the South Australian point of contact for the AWN MHFA Reference Group, he ensures clients have essential support, especially during challenging times.
Jared’s support in Rural Mental Health was recently highlighted in an AWN article on the topic, AWN Celebrating Inaugural Mental Health First Aid Day.
“The training has actually been really invaluable this year,” Jared stated, linking the program to a regional crisis. “SA has been in one of the worst droughts in living memory…The training just really allows me to have an effective conversation with clients and be able to offer support, across the company, across my network, and in my personal life as well.“
His commitment to mentorship within the wool industry is echoed by colleagues he has trained:
“Jared is a true mentor and mate. His passion and understanding of wool in all forms is a true credit to himself,” says AWN SA Wool Buyer/Wool Classer Caitlin Flanagan-Organ. “Jared is someone that you can build a working relationship with, something that clients can find invaluable.”
Leadership in the Wool Pipeline
Jared is highly active in the industry, showcasing his commitment to ongoing professional development and fostering the next generation:
Judging and Events:
He serves as a fleece judge at more than a dozen events and country shows over the year, including but not limited to the:
- Gawler Show, Tanunda Show, and the Royal Adelaide Show. He has worked as an Overjudge for multiple Young Wool Judging Competitions, and he manages AWN’s presence and judging for the SA School Wether Competition and represents the company as Major Sponsor at the SA Young Farmers Competition, as well as many other sponsorships throughout the year.
Education:
He volunteered at the SCAA Shearer Woolhandler Training course in Jamestown to share insights into wool broking, the auction system, and the global wool pipeline with 18 enthusiastic students. He also mentors a number of qualified Wool Classers, with many regularly asking for clip preparation advice and market information.
Professional Development:
Key milestones include being involved in AWN’s Future Leaders Group, the Leaders Institute of South Australia, Leading Australian Resilient Communities Program, and the NCWSBA Broker Development Program, demonstrating his commitment to continuous learning and excellence.
Wool classer and former National Graduate Finalist, Alycia Redden, added:
“Jared is very knowledgeable and has never failed to answer any questions I throw at him. He is also extremely generous with his time, even staying after knockoff once to help me re-press overweight bales due to incorrect scales.”
AWN Executive Commentary
“Jared’s journey with AWN began back in July 2017, and under the mentorship of Rod Miller and Peter Hayman, he has grown into a standout Wool & Sheep Specialist. His recognition as a finalist is a testament to his hard work, deep industry knowledge, and unwavering commitment to our clients and the wider wool community. This achievement continues AWN’s proud tradition of excellence in the industry, and Jared’s name now sits alongside some of our most respected past nominees and winners.”
— Rick Maybury, AWN MD & CEO
“Jared has developed into an elite Wool Broker with high-level skills from classing of clips for the market, and analysis and reporting on global fundamentals that drive wool markets. We have worked together on a succession of client relationships and generational change in those clients’ farm businesses. This has ensured ongoing success for the AWN SA business”.
— Rod Miller, State Manager (SA)
“Jared exemplifies the modern wool broker — building trusted client relationships, backed by strong market intelligence, clear communication, and consistent follow-through. His place in the finals of this award is a well-deserved recognition of his achievements.”
— Ben Stace, General Manager (South)
Jared’s Commitment to the Australian Wool Industry
Jared’s ranking as a top-three national finalist solidifies his position as a full-service broker who actively shapes the future of the industry. His approach, combining commercial expertise in premium markets like Authentico® and ZQ, with a strong commitment to mentorship and rural welfare, defines what it means to be a modern wool broker.
For Jared, who wears “more than a few hats,” from Broker to Ram Selector to Mental Health First Aider, and helps clients improve their businesses, it’s not just a job; it’s a commitment to the vitality of the entire Australian wool community.
Connect with Jared for Wool Services
To discuss your wool requirements, wool marketing services or to learn more about securing premium non-mulesed markets, please contact Jared directly:
Jared Phillips
Wool & Sheep Specialist
0427 747 461
Jphillips@awn.net