John Michell has been recognised in the Australia Day Honour Awards for his service to the Australian wool industry, particularly for his roles with professional associations and his contributions as a wool processor and exporter to the community.

Mr Michell is a fourth generation family member to work in the family business. He started his wool career in 1949, and over the past six decades has worked across most sectors of the business – from wool sorting and selling to marketing, hide and sheepskin tanning, management and various advisory roles.

He was the company’s managing director for 22 years and chairman for two more. In June 2003, Mr Michell and his two sons, David and Peter, bought the wool processing and trading operation of Michell Australia Pty Ltd bringing Mr Michell out of retirement to become a director of the business.