Angela Betharas - 2011 VIC RIRDC Rural Women's Award Winner
Angela Betheras is an alpaca breeder from Darnum, West Gippsland and principal of an integrated tourist enterprise 'Nickelby by Darnum'. She is the first female to sit on the Committee of Lardner Park Events, the largest Farmworld event in the southern hemisphere and has recently retired as Chair of the West Gippsland Gourmet Country Tourism Association.
In 2005 she traded the corporate world and an 18 year career in international trade and supply chain management with some of Australia's major retailers to pursue her passion for alpaca breeding.
The alpaca industry has established itself as a credible and profitable fibre industry, boasting a total of 100,000 breeders. But, according to Angela, it needs to find new markets for its woolen products if it is to expand and support its breeders.
China is the world's largest consumer market boasting a rapidly increasing number of affluent middle class consumers. Beijing and Shanghai between them have a population of 32 million people and many months of below zero temperatures.
Angela's Award ambition is to explore trade relations with China as an export market destination for exclusive Australian made alpaca garments and accessories.
Given her corporate background and her experience in facilitating trade, Angela believes she has the necessary skills and contacts and understanding of the customs and culture, to initiate new trade relations with China and establish a new market for Australian alpaca products.
Angela Nickleby
It was fabulous to catch up with Angela who is an alpaca breeder at Darnum in West Gippsland. She owns a cafe and alpaca store called Nickelby, which is about 90 minutes from Melbourne. A great place for Broads to visit......for a coffee, wine, cheese platter and chat. Who knows, one of Angela's alpaca garments might even end up in your wardrobe!