PRINCE Charles threw a fleece today as he got a feel for some of the world's finest wool on a sheep stud near Hobart.
With a little help from wool handler Lucy Byers, he gathered the newly shorn fleece off the floor and tossed it on the rack to be classed.
"He went quite well for a beginner," said Ms Byers, who throws up to 600 fleeces a day.
The prince took an interest in all aspects of Leenavale Stud near Sorell, just half an hour's drive but a world away from the city.
Charles lingered for some minutes, admiring the lovely setting of the farm and its lush spring pasture, watching kelpie Ziggy and his mates work the sheep and talking with farm manager Brent Thornbury, whose family had farmed in the area for four generations.
Inside the shearing shed, the prince chatted to the wool classer and handlers and shook the hand of each shearer.
Later Mr Thornbury described the prince as "very laid back" and "very interested" in the stud, which produced the soft, super-fine merino wool used in suits and designer clothing.
Wool is close to the prince's heart.
Two years ago he initiated the worldwide Campaign for Wool, to encourage consumers to use this sustainably produced natural fibre.
While at Leenavale, he had afternoon tea with some of the country's leading wool producers and promoters at a function hosted by Australian Wool Innovation, owners of the famous Woolmark Company, which promotes the Australian product and has one of the most recognisable logos in the textile business.
Australian Wool Innovation CEO Stuart McCullough said the prince's visit to Leenavale was a big deal for the industry.
"Prince Charles has been into sustainability for 20 years and we're just catching up. He's also a wool grower and he wears woollen clothing.
"Most of the world's apparel wool comes from Australia and Tasmania is at the pinnacle of the fashion triangle.
"It's a wonderful, natural, biodegradable and sustainable fibre."
Mr McCullough said the number of sheep in Australia had dropped from 180 million in 1991 to 70 million today and there was a need to get more growers into the business.
philip.heyward@news.com.au
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