Over the past 27 years The Australian Wool Fashion Awards has become one of the major Wool Industry promotional events in Australia. Started in the early 80's, the event was designed to promote wool in all its many aspects but with particular emphasis on its developing role in the international fashion world. The Awards started as a small local fashion parade in 1981 but soon grew to importance, they are now acknowledged as one of Australia's major wool fashion design awards.

The competition's main aim is to educate and encourage young designers in the wonderful qualities of wool. Secondary school students through to tertiary fashion students are enticed to use the many versatile wool and wool blend fabrics to create their entries. The rewards include significant cash prizes, gifts of work experience with leading Australian fashion designers and scholarships to study at recognised Fashion Institutes.

The 2008 Australian Wool Fashion Awards were presented in Armidale on Saturday 1st March featuring the one hundred and nine finalist garments.

The collection is coming to Longreach and will be shown in a fashion parade taking place at the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame and Outback Heritage Centre on Saturday 28 June 2008.