'Loved every moment': Margot Falconer retires from ASWS after 10 years at helm

After 10 years at the helm of one of the largest sheep events in the world, Australian Sheep Breeders Association chief executive Margot Falconer is set to retire.

Ms Falconer oversaw her last Australian Sheep & Wool Show (ASWS) in Bendigo last weekend and went out on a high.

The show had one of its largest sheep entries and attendance levels ever, with the head count at the gate 25-30 per cent up on 2024.

None of it would have been possible without Ms Falconer, the captain of the ship, and she will be missed by farmers, colleagues and patrons from every corner of Australia.

"It's an infectious job to have," she said.

"I've loved every moment.

"I've been very, very lucky."

Ms Falconer said she was immensely proud of her time at ASBA and more so, proud of the team around her.

"I am very proud, not just of my achievement but of our whole executive committee," she said.

"They just put so much in."

While she had had a 30-year career in media and television, with 16 years spent working for rural newspapers, Ms Falconer came from a non-farming background when she joined ASBA.

"I didn't really know one end of a sheep from another," she said.

"I knew I liked roast lamb, but not much else when I got here."

She has gotten to know the names of sheep breeders from hundreds of sheep studs during her tenure and now knows about everything from fleece microns to carcase traits.

"It's all about the sheep," she said.

ASBA committee member and Terrick West Poll Merino stud principal Ross McGauchie, Prairie, said Ms Falconer was pivotal in ensuring the event's evolution and survival.

Mr McGauchie said the corporate sponsors and trade stalls bolstered the event's income, allowing it to be held each year.

"She upgraded this show from when we were struggling a little bit when she came on to the board," he said.

"It's just grown and grown and grown because she's just such a good person.

"She's such a hard worker, and her ability to get on with people has been a great skill.

"She's been fantastic at getting corporate people in and getting sponsors."

Ms Falconer said if the event totally relied on sheep entries and membership, the show couldn't go on.

While sheep were still front and centre, attendees could now buy everything from a woollen garment to a tractor.

Ms Falconer said the most challenging time during her time as chief executive was the Covid-19 pandemic.

The 2020 ASWS was cancelled early on, but the 2021 show was called off the night before.

She said that's when the love of the show and the importance of its hundreds of judges, stewards, inspectors and other volunteers became so evident.

"The positive of Covid was it showed us that we could come through that adversity," she said.

The event lost a lot of money, and two anonymous farmers donated $70,000 between them to keep things afloat.

Another 47 farmers paid $1000 each for ASBA life membership.

"They kept us going," Ms Falconer said.

"The memory of those contributions is probably the one that warms my heart the most."

She said nowadays, there was something for everyone at the ASWS.

"It's just the best family event, but it is all about the sheep," she said.

On Saturday evening, the ASBA made Ms Falconer an honorary life member.

She was the first non-farmer to receive the award, something she said was very special to her.

Her successor Sue Opie takes the reins from September and Ms Falconer said she would do her very best to help her on her way.

The pair had worked together at the Bendigo Advertiser for 14 years.

"She'll take it to another level," Ms Falconer said.

"My advice to Sue has been to say yes to everything and then you work out how to do it."

Ms Falconer thanked all five of the ASBA presidents she worked with.

"I'm very fond of all of them and I have fantastic colleagues in the office," she said.

While she and husband Patrick hoped to take things easier in their retirement, they had plans for travel and more.

"I have a great love of golf and I intend on playing golf twice a week," Ms Falconer said.

Mr McGauchie said her contribution to ASBA was "way and above what we could have originally hoped for".

"We couldn't have hoped for anyone better than Margot," he said.

"She has been a revelation for the show."

He wished his friend and colleague every happiness in the future.

"She's very much loved within the association in the time she's been here and we wish her a long and happy retirement," he said.