podcast

Old-School Sustainability - A Visit to Australia's Longest-Running Weaving Mill

19.06.2025
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Welcome to another episode about why it matters that we can make stuff locally.


After last week's ep on Yorkshire's centuries-old wool recycling expertise, this time, as promised, Clare's taking you back to Australia, to see another inspiring mill in action.


We're in Launceston, Tasmania to visit Australia's oldest continuously operating weaving mill.


Waverley Mills has always worked with local wool, and over the years has woven all sorts of fabrics, from tweeds to flannels, but it's their blankets that made them famous. This is a story of tradition (during WW2 they produced blankets for the army), innovation (think, collaborating with Nudie Jeans to make the world’s first recycled blanket out of old denim), and continuity. But above all, it's about community - who's worked here for decades and who is apprenticing to learn the trade today; who grows the wool, and who has seen the ups and downs of this place over the years, and has a long view on why it matters. It's a story about ethical manufacturing, the possibilities for re-shoring, fibre sovereignty and being able to manufacture textiles where we live - just, all the important sustainability stuff! Enjoy!


Find all the links & further reading at thewardrobecrisis.com

Tell us what you think? Find Clare on Instagram @mrspress

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