Shearing at the Show!

This year’s sports shearing and wool handling competition at the Donald Show has been hailed a major success, with the community hay drive helping attract more competitors and increase prize money.

Thirty competitors took to the stage on Saturday, with 17 shearers and 13 wool handlers competing for a share of the prize pool.

Event organiser Adrian O’Shannessy said the competition had drawn a stronger field than last year, with increased participation from competitors and strong representation among judges.

“I thought it was very successful. It was well up on last year in terms of participation by competitors and representation by judges,” he said.

The improved turnout followed a hay drive organised by locals Kelvin Hepworth, Jono Robinson and David Manifold, which raised $54,500 with support from 32 farmers and four freight providers to help fund various aspects of the Donald Show, including the shearing competition.

Kelvin Hepworth said the community’s efforts had paid off, with the increased prize money helping attract quality competitors, including some from as far as New South Wales.

“It was fantastic because all the efforts of everyone were actually rewarded,” he said.

“Because the prize money was good and healthy, they got very good shearers, very good wool handlers and excellent judges.”

Kelvin said the competition was now attracting greater interest, with Donald becoming a more competitive fixture on the shearing circuit.

“It’s now competitive. It’s on the radar of all the shows now.”

The competition offered $9,000 in total prize money, with the ladies’ shearing event also a feature of the day. The original and only event of its kind in Victoria, it saw Maxi Armistead take first place and win a Heiniger Icon handpiece valued at $1,200.

Kelvin thanked the farmers and community members who donated hay, saying their support had helped make the competition possible and contributed to a successful show.

“I’d just like to thank the community for helping, which in turn makes it a better show,” he said.

Organisers plan to run the hay drive again next year, with anyone interested in contributing able to contact Kelvin Hepworth on 0427 304 262 or Jono Robinson on 0429 230 434.

Adrian O’Shannessy said organisers were also considering improvements to the shearing facilities, including an undercover area for spectators and wool handlers, and increasing the prize money available to competitors.

Results
Emily Spooner won novice wool handling, Keenan Fox took out senior wool handling and Mark Purcell won open wool handling.

In the shearing events, Sophie Parish won novice, Jacob Sanderson won intermediate, Lachy O’Shannessy won senior and Josh Bone claimed the open title. Maxi Armistead won the ladies’ shearing event.

The judging panel included four senior wool judges and six senior shearing judges, who volunteered their time and travelled from across Victoria.