Mystery of the missing Zegna Trophy

TASMANIAN wool growers and the Northern Midlands community have been left reeling following the theft of one of the world’s most prestigious wool trophies from the Ross Wool Centre.

Police investigations have been ongoing since the smash-and-grab incident that targeted the Ermenegildo Zegna Perpetual Trophy.

While no solid leads have been reported since the trophy was taken last month, clues left behind at the scene and security camera footage from along Ross streets are being followed up by the CIB.

In the farming world the trophy was a highly sought-after accolade, presented to the best superfine wool growers in the country from 1963 until 2008 – it spent most of its time with Tasmanian merino breeders with only one interstate winner, Sierra Park at Dunkeld, Victoria, taking the honour in 1964.

The stolen trophy was crafted by nationally acclaimed Tasmanian sculptor Stephen Walker and was housed in a blackwood timber case lined with pleated, superfine merino wool cloth made by FH Valance & Sons of Hobart.

It features a merino sheep crafted from 24-carat gold, evoking the idea of the golden fleece, set within a representation of a weaving loom made of silver and platinum, mounted on a serpentine base. 

Detective Sergeant Dwayne Kirkby said the Ermenegildo Zegna Perpetual Trophy was stolen overnight on Friday, December 5.

“Police were called to the wool museum in the early hours of Saturday, December 6 after the building’s alarm was activated,” Det Sgt Kirkby said.

“The suspect, believed to be a man, was wearing black shoes and gloves, light-coloured trousers and a hoodie. He left the scene in a white van, although the make and model are unknown.

“Investigators have been pursuing several lines of inquiry and we’re appealing to the public for any information that could assist.”

Wool Centre staff suspect the thief targeted the trophy for the precious metals, apparently taking no care with the object when smashing open the glass enclosure, trying to rip it out of the case (but finding it was bolted in), and then throwing their tools on top when carrying it out of the building – all in about three minutes.

CCTV captured the brazen act and a grainy image of the getaway vehicle.

Police would like to speak with anyone who can identify the vehicle and information can be provided to police by calling 131 444 and quoting OR 791821. 

The trophy, locally known as “the Zegna,” was for many years in possession of the Midlands Agriculture Association and was kept at a private residence.

It was donated to the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery for restoration of the case, protection and insurance, and then it was eventually loaned to the Wool Centre for permanent display, occasionally making its way to the Campbell Town show for special occasions.

Wool Centre manager Jessica Newton, who was woken in the middle of the night and informed of the robbery, said the Zegna trophy’s “heart lies in Tasmania”.

“It has a beautiful history here so it’s very sad that’s it missing at the moment,” she said.

Founded in 1910 in Trivero, Italy, the Ermenegildo Zegna Group is a leading global luxury group producing high-end fashion clothing.

In 1963 its founder, Ermenegildo Zegna, established the Wool Awards in Australia, to support and incentivise woolgrowers in their pursuit of the finest wool in the world.

Those fortunate enough to win it also won an all-expenses-paid trip to Italy to receive the trophy in person from the Zegna family.

The competition is one of the oldest existing in the world of wool and has a long list of Tasmanian merino wool producers on its winners’ list.

The Ermenegildo Zegna Perpetual Trophy was eventually replicated on the mainland and then in Tasmania later replaced with the Superfine Wool Trophy and the Vellus Aureum Trophy.

Over its 46-year history, the trophy was awarded to properties in the Ross district 32 times, with Trefusis being the most successful, earning a total of 15 awards, followed by Mount Morriston with eight, Mona Vale with six, Uplands (Trefusis bloodline) five and Verwood with three.

Established in 1923 by Alec McEwan, Trefusis was passed on to Jim and Jo McEwan (from 1948) who established the stud and built up a flock of merinos that became renowned worldwide for producing top superfine wool. 

Today, Jim’s daughter, Georgina Wallace, continues the legacy, often dominating at the state’s fleece competitions.

She is also a director on the Wool Centre board, making it doubly disappointing to see the Zegna disappear.

“I’m terribly saddened, and angry really, that it had been stolen, it’s got great history in this area and it’s quite an iconic trophy,” she said.

The modern Zegna Wool Trophy was most recently won by Ann Louise and Simon Cameron from Kingston at the 2025 Campbell Town show.

“If Tasmania’s wool industry had Crown jewels the Ermenegildo Zegna Perpetual Trophy would be it,” Mr Cameron said.

“My father Ralph Cameron, who at the time was president of the Tasmanian Fine Merino Breeders Association, received the first trophy back in 1963 from the Italian ambassador and he handed it on to the Midland Agricultural Association at Campbell Town Show. 

“As he handed it to the show president Reg Taylor he said ‘may this trophy be considered a symbol of joint enterprise between our two countries (Italy and Australia), which will continue throughout time.”

THE WINNERS

1963: Mt Morriston, Ross
1964: Sierra Park, Vic
1965: Benham Estate, Avoca
1966: Trefusis, Ross
1967: Mt Morriston, Ross
1968: Mona Vale, Ross
1969: Mt Morriston, Ross
1970: Connorville, Cressy
1971: Trefusis, Ross
1972: Trefusis, Ross
1973: Verwood, Ross
1974: Mt Morriston, Ross
1975: Mona Vale, Ross
1976: Trefusis, Ross
1977: Trefusis, Ross
1978: Mt Morriston, Ross
1979: Saundridge, Cressy
1980: Mona Vale, Ross
1981: Mona Vale, Ross
1982: Mt Morriston, Ross
1983: Mt Morriston, Ross
1984: Verwood, Ross
1985: Mona Vale, Ross