Paddington Alpacas

HISTORY
After a lifetime of cattle breeding amongst other things, we decided to look for stock that could compliment our property, “Paddington Park” in Kangaroo Valley. We ran a hideaway called “The Heavens” and some cattle. After following the alpaca scene around for approximately two years, the female member of this partnership decided it was to be Alpacas that graced the lush green pastures of their mountain retreat.

Beginning in 1993 with 2 pregnant females which cost an arm and a leg at that time, and fortunately being blessed with two female cria we were off… Steadily our herd grew, as did our Show successes. Then came our agistors, of whom we became very involved in their education and breeding programmes.

Having a medical background as well as a rural one proved to be a bonus, and Open days, Education days and time spent with other breeders proved a wonderful and social interacting time. Becoming the Breed Captain for Sydney RAS Show for 9 years was a great experience, having shown cattle with the family since I was a child proved to be be of great benefits to us in the Alpaca industry, knowing what and how to get our industry going through the RAS. I still feel that this is our greatest advertising outlet to the general public in NSW. There were a lot of skills which were to be brought to the alpaca area at the RAS.

Being a director on the first formed Alpaca Fleece Co-operative was another new experience and where I was fortunate enough to learn so much about what the mills require. We still have a long way to go in this field, and I feel a lot more knowledge is required here perhaps from woollen mill experts. Watching the fleece progress over the years from our first imported Chilean stock to the improvement from imported Peruvian genetics has been a privilege and a wonderful one to be part of. Then with the event of the Suri coming to Australia and watching breeders learn about this silken fleece has indeed been another great opportunity. I never get over enjoying city folk who have come over to the rural scene learning and enjoying this wonderful alpaca.

In early 2000 circumstances brought us to Goulburn where we felt the more natural pasture may be more in keeping with the alpaca natural grazing habits. This proved to be so, and our alpacas thrived. As well there is a great network of breeders nearby who get in and assist one another and always there for advice or to be able to help one another. We continue to assist others with medical knowledge learned from our wonderful vet and his associates. We have been blessed with Bill Beresford from Moss Vale from the beginning and he continues to teach us all along the way and is always there to advise us with anything; we are eternally grateful to him for all his down to earth knowledge and skills he has handed on to us.

We run approximately 200 alpacas, our own and agisted, on 100 acres here. We also have access to a nearby property on which most of our wethers are run, when we have some….

SHOW EXPERIENCE
Not showing as often as we were we have enjoyed tremendous success in the showring, but getting that first Champion ribbon was a surreal feeling. But the ultimate and never dreamed-of award was gaining SUPREME CHAMPION at Sydney RAS in 2002 with Morton Park Monique. Never did we dream of gaining this prestigious award, so it has been something we have never come down to earth about. When I see someone gain this award now, I feel the greatest joy for them.