Waipawa woman's Corriedale fleece snags award

Yvonne Monk after winning the champion handcraft fleece at the Black and Coloured Sheep Breeders Association of New Zealand's annual conference in Napier.

A Corriedale fleece has finally snared Waipawa's Yvonne Monk the title she wanted.
Along with her husband, Don, Yvonne has been a member of the Black and Coloured Sheep Breeders Association of New Zealand for two decades.

During that time she was has won multiple awards for the coloured fleeces produced by the Romneys, Corriedales and Gotlands the couple breed.

But in her 20 years as a member of the association — of which Don is the immediate past president — one major award had eluded her. But Yvonne was thrilled when that all changed late last month when she claimed the Champion Handcraft Fleece award at the association's annual conference and AGM held at the Napier Sailing Club, with a Corriedale fleece.

"We have definitely been around a long time. The Black and Coloured Sheep Breeders Association has been going for 41 years and we have been involved for 20 years. That's the first time I have won the Champion Handcraft Fleece award," she said.

Yvonne explained that handcraft referred to the intended end-use of the fleece — spinning, felting, crochet and knitting — and the fleeces were judged on preparation, presentation, feel, eye appeal and overall wow factor.

"There were 21 fleeces competing for that top prize, including a high percentage of breeders from the South Island, who are known for their fine wool and are quite hard to beat. So it was thrilling for us to win this quite prestigious award."

The couple have around 200 sheep on their 40ha Pourerere Rd property in Waipawa. Though more of a hobby than a major money spinner, Yvonne said she and her husband bred the sheep and sold the fleeces to the craft market industry.

"It's become our way of life, and we love having these animals around us," she said.