A NEW generation of shearers have been getting lessons from one of the best at a shearing and wool handling course being held in the district over the past two weeks.
The 10 day school, run by the New England Institute of TAFE Glen Innes campus, has been held at Clarevaulx Station woolshed under the tuition of TAFE rural industries teacher Paul Lennon and world champion shearer Ross Thompson of ‘Mindora’ Swan Vale.
Mr Thompson said the first few days involved teaching the eight students the correct control of sheep, and learning the optimum shearing positions.
“It’s the first time some of them have ever held a sheep, and learning to control one is a big thing,” he said.
“And everyone’s different in terms of their body shape and strength, so you try to give them a good grounding in technique. There’s a lot more emphasis on looking after your body than there used to be; there’s no reason why someone can’t still be shearing at 60 if they want to, if they’ve been taught the right way,” said Mr Thompson, who said having a chiropractor as a sister made him acutely aware of the risks.
While not all would become shearers, “it’s a good skill to have, even if it’s just knowing how to crutch, or be able to shear a straggler,” Mr Thompson said.
After mastering crutching, the students started a full body shearing of cross-bred ewes this week.
“They’re easier to start on because there aren’t as many wrinkles, but they’ll also do some merinos to feel the difference,” Mr Thompson said.
The necessary bookwork, safety regulations, equipment experting and picking up, throwing and skirting fleeces were also part of the course.
For the practical instruction they could find few better to teach them than Mr Thompson, who learnt to shear at 14 and has since represented his country in sport shearing here and overseas, including, with Shannon Warnest from South Australia, winning the team event at the international Golden Shears competition in South Africa in 2000. He also teaches in western and southern NSW.
Among the students is Tom Benton, 18, from a family of beef producers who are diversifying into sheep “to utilise our country better and not have all our eggs in the one basket”.
“I didn’t know anything about the wool industry, so I thought it would be good before we got some sheep,” said Tom, who is also studying woolclassing.
“It’s a bit hard physically while you get used to it, but it will be good to broaden my skills.”
Mr Lennon said it was hoped another school would be held in October, if there was interest.
“There’s a shortage of shearers, and it’s a good feeling when you come across fellows who’ve done them in the past and continued in the industry,” Mr Lennon said.
He also thanked Andrew and Fergus McIntosh for providing sheep and the woolshed for the course.
EThose interested in next shearing school should contact Paul Lennon on 0429 321 529, TAFE Glen Innes on 6739 0500 or Ross Thompson on 0427 104 208.