Sheep Shearing Demonstrations Bush Tele Feature

Every year the Sydney Royal Easter Show serves as a platform for city people to connect with Australia’s bush heritage.

Sheep shearing is a proud part of our nation’s rural culture and this year three legends of the shearing industry are demonstrating their skills at the daily sheep shearing demonstrations in the Sheep and Wool Pavilion.

Presenter of the show and longstanding figure in the shearing world, Jim Murray, is joined by Ian Elkins and Mike Pora, who have both been internationally recognised as shearing champions.

When they’re not at the Show, the men are travelling around the shearing sheds of NSW and encouraging young people to get involved in the industry.

 The live demonstrations provide an opportunity for children to learn about wool and where it comes from.

“We always ask before the start of the show how many of the kids have ever seen a sheep being shorn before and not many of them have. The city-country divide is getting bigger and bigger every year,” Mike said.

During the demonstration, Jim talks about the history and trade of sheep shearing in Australia to the audience. He explains how wool is an important and sustainable product, and why Australia’s youth should be aware of its significance.

The shearing demonstration is performed with the larrikin humour that is trademark of the Aussie shearer.  Mike and Ian compete in a shearing race, one using traditional blade shears and the other modern electrical shears, much to the amusement of the audience.

Jim believes the demonstrations play an important role in connecting all people, especially the kids, back to the bush, which he feels is being lost.

“About twenty years ago everybody had a connection to the bush, whether it was through Great Uncle Jo or Grandpa and Grandma,” he said. “We mightn’t be Great Uncle Jo, but the visitors keep coming back each year, so hopefully we make some connection.”