STUDENTS and interested Sheepvention-goers had the opportunity to come and have a try at shearing and wool handling at the Rural Industries Skill Training (RIST) and Shearer Woolhandler Training (SWT) on Monday.

After the Junior Judging competition in the morning, competitors were encouraged to make their way to the Ram Shed to further expand their skills and knowledge of the different industries in agriculture.

The Good Shepherd College Agriculture Club students were one of the schools who joined in the demonstration day, designed for anybody who would like to have a go at shearing or wool handling.

Students observed Hamilton P&A Society executives, Gordon Last and Daniel Mirtschin shearing two Merino sheep while committee member Emma Hart and events manager, Emmelie Nijksen had a go at throwing and handling Merino Wool.

Students and interested members of the public were then given the opportunity to have a go at shearing under the guidance of shearing instructors. 

RIST wool handling trainer, Mark Purcell and SWT wool handling trainer, Moera Hammonds demonstrated to students what preparation needs to be done with Merino fleeces, such as how to pick up a fleece, throw it and prepare it for classing.

RIST wool classing, shearing and wool handling trainer, Raelene Laidlaw said students were given clear step-by-step instructions, considering it was some of the students’ first time ever preparing wool. 

“There are lots of different areas they need to divide the fleece up into,” she said.

Ms Laidlaw also said the demonstration day provided a great opportunity for the students to expand their knowledge and interests of different agriculture industries and career paths.

“Even though we live in a rural town and there’s a lot of farming children here, there are a lot of students who never get to see the opportunity of shearing or wool preparation,” she said.

“It’s giving (the students) an introduction to the possibilities of different careers in agriculture.”