Members and competitors of the Wagga Speed Shear proudly unveil the new Wall of Fame at Romano’s Hotel. Photo: Jarryd Rowley.
A new Wall of Fame, honouring the fastest sheep shearers in the region, has been unveiled at Romano’s Hotel.
The new Wagga Speed Shear Wall of Fame was unveiled by the Wagga Wagga Speed Shear Committee to celebrate the local volunteers who helped establish one of the world’s fastest-growing rural speed-shear competitions.
Committee founder Atareta Te Kanawa-Semenoff established the competition in 2022 as a way of motivating local shearers.
Now, the annual Wagga Speed Shear competition, which will take place on 22 November at the Wagga Showgrounds, is set to attract over 200 competitors across five skill levels, all competing for a total prize pool of $67,000.
“I’ve competed in speed shears since 2020,” Atareta said.
“I remember thinking to myself, everyone who participates wins money, but no-one really wants to help improve their own shearing ability.
“Three years ago, I started the Wagga Speed Shear with the idea of the winners of each class getting the chance to travel to Wales and New Zealand, where the sport is so big.”
One of the competitors looking to put his best foot forward is eight-year-old, second-generation shearer Jax Woods.
“The fastest I’ve ever shorn two sheep is three minutes and 52 seconds,” he said.
“It’s really important to try and keep the sheep as still as possible. Once you’re done, the leftover wool fills quite a few bags.
“I learnt to shear sheep from my dad. While he might be faster than me now, I think one day I will go quicker.”
Atareta said she had nothing but gratitude for the people who had helped her grow the competition.
“When we first started, there were no shearing competitions in Wagga at all,” she said.
“A lot of people move to Wagga to shear sheep, especially from New Zealand and Wales. Wagga really is a hot spot for that kind of industry. It made sense that we started something here and now it’s just gotten so big. We’re expecting over 200 people to head to the showgrounds next week.
“It’s been incredible to see it grow, and to now have this Wall of Fame, it really allows us to highlight the competitors, both past and present.
“It means that people can walk past, ask what speed shearing is and really build a community around it. It really is a full-circle moment having unveiled this Wall of Fame.”
The Wagga Speed Shear kicks off at the Wagga Showgrounds on Saturday, 22 November.
