Made Here: Silver Fleece at Parliament House

From our Bowden mill to Parliament House

At Silver Fleece, Australian manufacturing is the work we do every day: turning yarn into knitwear and knitted textiles at our mill in Bowden, South Australia.

On 12 March 2026, that work took us to Parliament House, Canberra. Melanie and Dean Flintoft joined the Australian Fashion Council (AFC) in the Mural Hall for the launch of Australia's first National Manufacturing Strategy for Fashion and Textiles, presented in partnership with R.M.Williams.

We were there to represent our mill, our makers and the skills we believe belong in Australia's future.

Nine makers. One shared commitment.

Silver Fleece was one of nine Australian manufacturers chosen for the Strategy's manufacturing showcase, alongside ABMT, Bianca Spender, Bond-Eye Australia, Clothing the Gaps, R.M.Williams, Stewart & Heaton, Sylvia P and Waverley Mills.

From firefighting uniforms and performance apparel to luxury fashion, footwear and textiles, the showcase brought the breadth of Australian manufacturing into one room.

For us, it was an opportunity to show what local knitwear manufacturing looks like, and why it is worth investing in.

A little of Bowden, in Canberra

Our stand featured a cream cable-knit cricket jumper and vest, knitted at our Bowden mill, alongside a selection of our knitted textiles.

Cricket knitwear tells our story well. Wool, structure, colour and craft come together in a garment made to represent the people who wear it. Behind every piece are the technical knowledge, machinery and hands-on care that turn an idea into something tangible.

That is the Silver Fleece approach: working from yarn to finished garment under one roof, keeping manufacturing knowledge close to the work.

As Australia's wool processing and knitwear manufacturing footprint has contracted, we have continued investing in technology, bringing specialist mills to South Australia and keeping skills local. We believe this capability is worth protecting, and building on.

Made here needs a future here

A manufacturing strategy matters when it connects national ambition with the practical realities of running a mill.

For Silver Fleece, that means sustained demand for Australian-made products, pathways for new makers to learn the trade, and investment in the machinery that keeps local production competitive.

Experience cannot simply be replaced when someone leaves the factory floor. It needs to be passed on, practised and developed. The future of our industry depends on giving the next generation both the opportunity and the tools to carry it forward.

Three priorities we stand behind

Build demand for Australian-made

Government procurement, stronger provenance and greater awareness can help turn support for local manufacturing into real orders. Consistent demand gives manufacturers the confidence to plan and invest.

Keep skills moving forward

We need skilled pathways into advanced manufacturing and opportunities for experienced makers to share their knowledge. Keeping capability in Australia means investing in the people behind it.

Invest in modern manufacturing

Modern machinery, digital production and stronger domestic processing capability can help Australian mills compete and grow. For businesses like ours, technology and craft work best together.

These priorities reflect what we value at Silver Fleece: local knowledge, practical innovation and the ability to make quality knitwear here.

A conversation worth carrying forward

At Parliament House, makers and policymakers sat together over breakfast to talk about the future of Australian manufacturing. The conversations were practical and hopeful.

We were proud to bring Silver Fleece into that conversation. More importantly, we want to see it translate into lasting opportunities for the people and businesses making things here.

Thank you to the Australian Fashion Council for inviting us to take part, and to our fellow manufacturers for sharing the same commitment.

From our mill in Bowden to the national stage, our focus remains the same: making with care, keeping skills local and helping Australian knitwear move forward.

Frequently asked questions

Why was Silver Fleece at Parliament House?

We were one of nine Australian manufacturers selected for the manufacturing showcase at the launch of the National Manufacturing Strategy for Fashion and Textiles in March 2026.

What did Silver Fleece showcase?

Our display featured a cream cable-knit cricket jumper and vest made at our Bowden mill, alongside a selection of our knitted textiles.

Where is Silver Fleece knitwear made?

At our mill in Bowden, South Australia. We make custom knitwear, garments and knitted textiles for schools, clubs, corporates, government and fashion brands.

Let's make it here

Looking for an Australian manufacturing partner? At Silver Fleece, we make custom knitwear and knitted textiles from 150 units per style and colourway. Talk to our team about your next project.

Explore the story
The National Manufacturing Strategy for Fashion and Textiles
Lauren Sams in The Australian Financial Review