News
Shear Joy at North Tuppal Re-enactment "The Shearing of the Rams"
It all took place the Nth Tuppal Station, located approx. 30kms NW of Tocumwal on the 4th 
and 5th June, 2010. People came from all over Australia to see this truly amazing event organized by Sports Shear Australia to raise funds to send a team over to Wales to compete.
It is estimated that up to 15000 people walked through the gates on the Saturday to see the century old shed working at full capacity again. Visitors had the opportunity to ‘Walk the 88metre board’, chat with the shearers and view the wool room. Horse drawn wagons were used to cart the wool bales away.
At 1pm each day the machines were silenced for the re-enactment of the painting then 72 Blade Shearers took to the stands. It was quiet on the board and all you heard was the ‘click click’ of the blades.
Neville Condie, a retired Blade Shearer and farmer from the Golden Plains Shire participated in the blade shearing of the rams.
Machine Shearers Bruce Grigsby from Lethbridge, Paul Jenkinson from Shelford and Mick Lewis
from Elaine rotated throughout the two days with the other shearers and Shanny Storm from Elaine was kept extremely busy picking up fleeces.
Geoff and Cameron Gugger from Stonehaven helped out in wool pressing and mustering out the back. All commented it was a truly amazing experience to be a part of. They had to pay $140 to participate which included an event towel, singlet/polo shirt, commemorative book and all meals throughout the day.
There were displays outside that included Blade shearing demonstrations, spinning, history stands and the crowds had the opportunity to watch on the big screen. They had camp fires going that really set the mood. The weather was picture perfect as opposed to the previous week where it rained for days. Spectators could test out their fitness on the bicycle driven hand piece. Quite exhausting.
A cut-out party was held on the Saturday night at Tocumwal to celebrate the success of this event and everyone was congratulated. Photos of the event can be found at www.shearingoftherams.com.
Pictured above: Paul Jenkins (top) and Bruce Grigsby (bottom)
bend their backs with machine shears.
By Kaylene Grigsby
