DESPITE the wet weather seemingly abating after Hamilton’s wettest spring on record, the ripple effects are still being felt as yet another event has been affected – this time the annual Legacy Fleece Show has been postponed.

Originally slated for December 6-8, organisers recently decided to shift the opening day to Valentine’s Day next year.

Hamilton and District Legacy secretary, Mal Eales, said although they had travelled far and wide to get fleeces from graziers including over the border into South Australia, a majority of them gave the same unhappy response.

“(They tell us) ‘we haven’t shorn yet, we haven’t shorn yet – can’t get shearers’,” he said.

“Everyone’s in the same boat. So, we had to make a decision – ‘do we run it with 50 or 60 fleeces or do we wait and hope to get the 200 or 250 like we normally get?’

Mr Eales said they were hoping the upcoming summer would enable shearing to catch up and by the new date, they would have a good number.

Fleece Show convenor, Peter Guthrie, said he was grateful “some people are just so generous” and this influenced the decision too.

“You sort of feel obliged to do the best you can,” he said.

Mr Guthrie said the funds raised would go to Legacy as it continued to support the families of military veterans.

“It all gets put back into the local Legacy area,” he said.

“Just to support them, particularly those who are still living independently, because they all need a little bit more assistance in their houses.”

The 71st Hamilton and District Legacy Fleece Show will now be held Tuesday, February 14 to Thursday, February 16, 2023 at the Fashion Room, Sheepvention Centre, Hamilton.

The show will be open to the public on the last day from 10am to 3pm and the trophy presentation will follow at 6.30pm.

Fleece bags are available from all Woolbrokers and Stock Agents.