THERE was the hum of shearing machines, the rattle of hooves, the bleat of sheep, but this was no average day of shearing at “Yullundry” shed.
The historic shearing shed near Cumnock in the state’s Central West was alive with voices and laughter, as local businesses, shearers, rouseabouts and plenty of helpers came to lend a hand to help out Cumnock Public School.
Instead of being paid for the 443 Merino sheep shorn, the generous bunch of shearers, along with rouseabouts and wool classers, donated their time, gear and wages for the day to help out on the Cumnock Public School Annual Shearing Day.
Shearers Jeremy Duffy, Fred Lambert, Tommy Dwyer, Chris Jackson, Matthew Phillipson, Jimmy Amey, Jo Sibley, Andrew Watts, David Whiteman, Jacob Brown, Credi Schulz, Glyn Bruce, David Weston, Greg Duffy and Ed Obrien shared the five stands at the shed, which was provided, along with the sheep, by the Armstrong family from Yullundry Pastoral Company, Cumnock.
And with donations from local businesses, a massive $6000 was raised for the school.
Co-organiser Jeremy Duffy, J. and H. Duffy Rural Contracting, “Old Yullundry”, Cumnock, was thrilled with the generosity shown by all who came to lend a helping hand.
“It was great. Everybody had a job to do, whether it was cooking the barbecue, making smoko or working in the shed,” he said.
Mr Duffy, who came up with the idea of the shearing day to help the school, said wool classer Scotty Gibson, Baldry, was kept on his toes.
“The classer had about 10 rouseabouts to keep an eye on,” he said.
Mr Duffy said it was heartening to see so many shearers give up their day, and a wage, to help the small local school.
“They are all great blokes, and the sheep were shorn really well,” he said.
Cumnock Ag n Vet was the major sponsor of the event, with support also from Landmark Wilson Russ of Warren.
Manager of Cumnock Ag n Vet Rob Christie said the business donated $500 to the school and also supplied all the shearers and shedhands with a special singlet.
Mr Christie said Ag n Vet was dedicated to supporting local causes and events.
“Ag n Vet is very big on helping the local community,” he said.
Other local businesses also chipped in to make the day a success, including Graham and Susan Coddington, Flick Estates, J. and K. Christie Mechanical Repairs, Kings Livestock Services, J. and H. Duffy Rural Contracting, Robert Pye, D.T.S. and E. Phillips and Yullundry Pastoral Company.
The money raised will go towards redesigning the Cumnock Public School playground and installing a new irrigation system that will maintain the school’s sports ground.