DUBBO wool classer Matthew Cox has won the 2026 AWEX/TAFE NSW National Graduate Wool Classer Competition at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

The national competition for graduate wool classers is the only event of its kind in the world, with the winner receiving the coveted ‘Golden Stencil.’

Finalists travelled from New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania for the event on Tuesday this week. It was hosted by the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW, and organised and sponsored by the Australian Wool Exchange Limited and TAFE NSW.

Mr Cox graduated from TAFE NSW and was trained by Kayla Garner. He took home $500 in prizemoney. He was also awarded the DAS Campbell Prize for Top NSW Graduate, recognising his outstanding performance among New South Wales competitors. The winning graduate’s registered training organisation and trainer were also presented with the Dennis Teasdale Perpetual Trophy, awarded annually to the RTO and trainer of the overall competition winner.

Second place and winner of the ‘Silver Stencil’ and $300 prize money was Amelia Brown, trained by TAFE NSW Kim Jenkins. Amelia McCrabb from Wanganella in NSW, and also trained by TAFE NSW’s Kayla Garner, placed third to win the ‘Bronze Stencil’ and $200 prize money.

A new award by TAFE NSW for a student showing commitment to their training — the inaugural Stuart Murphy Legacy trophy — was awarded to Tom Lockyer from Guyra, NSW.

AWEX chief executive officer Charlie McElhone praised the calibre of competitors and the strength of the next generation of wool professionals.

“In my short time with the wool industry, it has been made clear to me about how important Australia’s wool classing system is to positioning Australian wool as the highest quality in the world.

“Emerging wool classers of the calibre that we have seen today play a vital role in ensuring growers attain the best possible value from their clip,” he said.

“This is something that should be acknowledged and celebrated.”

Mr McElhone also acknowledged the important role of education providers.

“It is important to congratulate training organisations across the country like TAFE NSW, for the role they play in training classers of such a high calibre,” he said.

“Today’s competitors not only showcase the top echelon of Australia’s 12,000 strong wool classers but also reflect the efforts of these educators.”

Competition finalists completed three classing tasks with fine Merino, medium Merino, and crossbred simulated clips, plus a wool valuation, a WoolClip task and an oral presentation to an expert judging panel.

The 2026 competition was judged by Gerard Buchanan from Schute Bell Badgery Lumby Wool Brokers; Stuart Murphy, TAFE NSW, and; Renee Timberlake, AWEX.

Mr McElhone said the national competition represents the pinnacle for wool classing graduates and has generated significant enthusiasm, while elevating the profile of wool and the specialist skills required in wool classing.