Featuring Jo Taylor and the wool behind our Double Crossed Throw
At Waverley Mills, every thread carries a story—from the land it comes from, to the people who help it grow, and the skilled hands at our mill who weave it into luxurious textiles. This Mother’s Day, we’re proud to feature Jo Taylor, whose strength, humour and warmth are woven into the very heart of Kenilworth—a property renowned for producing some of Tasmania’s finest wool.
A Family Operation, Full of Heart
Kenilworth is home to the Taylor family: Dave, Jo and their three children—Rupert, Wally and Wilhelmina. The day we visited, Rupert was out on his motorbike, expertly bringing in the sheep with the quiet confidence of someone twice his age.
Like many farming families, Jo wears many hats. She plays a vital role on the farm, and also runs her own successful retail business, Coco Blue.
Mother’s Day is the perfect moment to recognise women like Jo—those who balance the chaos and care of raising a family with the daily demands of life on the land. Their contributions may not always be in the spotlight, but they are the rhythm and soul of family farms across the country.
From Kenilworth to Waverley Mills
This year, the Taylor family’s wool is the foundation of our latest luxury release—the Double Crossed Throw. Bold, refined, and full of character, this special piece reflects the generations of knowledge and care that go into producing superfine Tasmanian Merino.
The throw is a tribute not only to craftsmanship, but to the people and places behind the fibre—like Jo and the generations of families before her, who have worked with the land and the animals to create something truly special.
The Woman Who Walked Wool into Australia
The story of Kenilworth runs deep—woven into the very beginnings of Tasmania’s superfine wool industry. In the early 1800s, it became home to Eliza Forlong , a remarkable woman whose legacy still shapes the global reputation of Tasmanian Merino wool.
Eliza and her family were determined to establish a Saxon Merino wool enterprise in Australia. In an extraordinary feat, Eliza walked across Saxony in Germany—not once, but three times—selecting and purchasing the finest sheep she could find. Alongside her sons, she led flocks of up to 100 sheep on foot to the port of Hamburg, ensuring only the best genetics made the long voyage to the southern hemisphere.
In 1829, her 16-year-old son William set sail aboard The Clansman with the first flock, arriving via Hobart. So impressed was Governor Arthur with the quality of the sheep, he encouraged William to remain in Van Diemen’s Land. Soon after, Eliza, her husband John and son Andrew joined him, arriving with a second flock in 1831 and settling at Kenilworth, just outside Campbell Town.
The sheep brought by Eliza became the foundation of Tasmania’s superfine wool industry—establishing the renowned Winton Stud at Campbell Town, and neighbouring St Johnstone, both of which helped cement Tasmania as a global leader in premium Merino.
Today, a statue titled "Eliza and the Ram" stands proudly in the centre of Campbell Town, honouring her pioneering spirit and the profound impact she had on Australian wool growing. Her story is one of grit, vision and determination—and her legacy lives on at Kenilworth, where the land still nurtures wool of the highest calibre.
A Legacy That Lives On
Today, the Taylors continue that legacy with integrity—producing exceptional wool through sustainable, low-impact practices that prioritise animal welfare and environmental stewardship. These are the values shared by all our Waverley Wool Growers and reflected in every piece we create.
This Mother’s Day, Waverley Mills is honoured to celebrate Jo Taylor and Kenilworth—and to recognise the mothers whose quiet resilience shapes our homes, farms and communities.
The Double Crossed Throw, woven from Kenilworth wool, is more than a beautiful gift. It’s a tribute to the people and places who make it possible. As enduring, considered, and naturally elegant as the country it comes from.
