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Trust Fund
Background: In 1987 The NSW Stud Merino Breeders’ Association Limited Trust was established with a target of $200,000 and a minimum of $100,000 – interest thereon to provide funds for research. The Council of the NSW SMBA controls this fund and contributed $30,000 on establishment. Over the years members have provided tax-deductible contributions and, together with interest on investments, the Trust has now reached a capital size where recurring income earned each year is likely to be a significant sum and capable of funding serious research expenditures for the benefit of the Merino industry.
Tax-Deductible Donations and Applications for Research Funding can be made to –
The NSW SMBA Trust
c/- The Australian Merino Centre
Locked Bag 4317
Sydney Olympic Park NSW 2127
Current Trustees are Mr Robert Lindsay, NSW SMBA President, along with Messrs W J Ferguson, S D Beveridge OAM and D D S Kater.
Objectives: The objectives of the Trust Deed were reviewed in 2004 with a view to broadening its charter to support educational initiatives in the Merino industry, and any other directions that may be relevant and may qualify for funding whilst adhering to the terms of the Trust Deed. This decision acknowledges the change in circumstances within the industry where funding opportunities are now available from many other sources.
Project Benefits: Whilst several projects that received Trust funding have not come to fruition, the following have resulted in benefits to the Merino industry:
FOOTROT: Funds were provided in 1991 to the University of Sydney for work on management of low virulence footrot and to the Elizabeth Macarthur Institute for development of a blood test to be used to eradicate footrot. In 1992 the University of Sydney was again funded to investigate low-virulent strains of footrot, and again in 1993 for work on field investigations of low-virulent strains of footrot. Total Trust Funds of $42,400 were expended. In December 2006, NSW DPI advised it has a footrot target for NSW to be a protected zone in the very near future.
BIOLOGICAL WOOL HARVESTING OF RAMS: In 1994, CSIRO was funded $14,805 in the early stages of studying biological wool harvesting of rams.
JOHNE'S DISEASE IN SHEEP: From 1995-97, the University of Sydney was funded $30,000 for research into Johne’s disease in sheep, and in 2000 trials were funded with $3,000 to ascertain the effectiveness of vaccination in the control of OJD.
BARBERS POLE WORM PROJECT: In 2000, CSIRO was funded $2,900 to research a rapid diagnosis of barber’s pole worm. In 2001 the Trust was advised that the project had been completed with a successful outcome being a reliable diagnosis technique with the benefit of being completed within a single day.
DNA: In 2000, $1,500 was put towards DNA demonstrations at the Falkiner Memorial Field Station.
Current Projects:
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STAPLE STRENGTH BREEDING TRIAL: In 2005, a project was agreed in collaboration with Australian Wool Innovation, with each funding $49,750 over a three-year period, for a staple strength breeding trial. The completion date is September 2009.
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WOOL HANDLER TRAINING: In 2006, a pilot project was agreed for wool handler training that will be conducted by TAFE Western Institute with the Trust funding 100 students @ $164 each. Evaluation of the pilot project will be undertaken after which ongoing support for the training may be considered. This pilot was a success and on 30th May 2008 the Trustees approved an allocation of $19,500 to fund 75 places in the 2008/09 financial year to continue the project.