Henderson family to sell Avington Merino at Sidonia
An AWI director is selling his central Victorian ultrafine wool fibre-producing farm for offers in the vicinity of $30 million.
After 25 years at the helm of their award-winning central Victorian luxury wool fibre-producing enterprise, Noel and Lyndsay Henderson are selling Avington Merino.
Their property spans 1196ha at Sidonia, in Victoria’s Macedon Ranges, and is currently a breeding and grazing platform for Avington Merino, one of the few global producers of luxury merino wool fibres.
A mix of existing wool producers, corporate investors and high-net worth individuals are tipped to be interested in the property, which could attract offers in the vicinity of $30 million.
Avington also has an exclusive supply agreement with European textile manufacturers, which is expected to pique potential buyers’ interest.
CBRE’s Shane McIntyre and Matt Childs were appointed to manage the campaign, with
expressions of interest invited by December 8.
“Avington has been developed and maintained over the past 25 years by the Henderson family to be a highly improved, world-renowned enterprise,” Mr Childs said.
“The level of quality in the infrastructure, technology, animal welfare, brand reputation, and operational efficiencies is rarely found in assets of this nature.”
The Hendersons established Avington Merino in 1996, dedicating their time to the production of high-quality superfine and ultrafine merino wool via ethical farming practices.
In 2017 Avington Merino was Australia’s first enterprise certified under the international sheep and wool welfare program, the Responsible Wool Standard.
In November 2019, Mr Henderson was elected as a director of the Australian Wool Innovation board.
Avington’s awards include the Australian Superfine Wool Growers Association’s 2014-15 Grand Champion Fleece and the 2016 and 2018 Champion Ultrafine Poll merino ram at the Australian Sheep and Wool Show Bendigo.
CBRE’s Mr McIntrye said Avington was fully-developed to continue its first class wool producing enterprise.
“The purchaser of this asset will have no further capital expenditure for decades due to the high quality of Avington,” he said.
“Fencing, pastures, water harvesting and environmental strategies have all been thoughtfully
harnessed together to create a highly productive sustainable enterprise.”
Of the 1196ha site, 87 per cent is classed as arable and grazing area and includes a fully-automated and stock water system.
Historic average annual rainfall is 755mm, helping to provide pasture for its
15,000 dry sheep equivalent carrying capacity.
Existing infrastructure includes an architect-designed main home, other accommodation and sheep handling facilities.
Avington Merino is being offered for sale on a walk-in walk-out basis, inclusive of the current inventory of plant and equipment.
The entire superfine and ultrafine sheep flock can also be purchased or Avington can be purchased on a bare land basis.
About 90km northeast of Avington, the 1230ha premier rural Victorian estate Allanvale, near Avenel was listed for sale and could also receive offers in the vicinity of $30 million.
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