Quick thinking and strong community support saved one of the original Black and Coloured sheep flocks from destruction during the bushfires raging around Bargo before Christmas 2019.
Terri Bertram is the principal of the Delco Black and Coloured Border Leicester and English Leicester studs, Bargo and she was an exhibitor during the 2020 ActewAGL Royal Canberra Show where the Black and Coloured sheep were the feature breed in the sheep pavilion.
Mrs Bertram said if it hadn't been for the generosity and support of many people around the southern highlands, she might not have been at the show.
"We were able to move our flock into the showgrounds at Moss Vale thanks to great help from the community," she said.
"They were all saved and I am so grateful for the help.
"Just when you think all is gone and there is no hope of carrying on, something always turns up."
At the 2020 ActewAGL Royal Canberra Show Mrs Bertram showed three Black and Coloured Border Leicesters and one English Leicester.
She took home a first placed ribbon for a ram lamb in the strong wool class.
"The Chevalier College at Bowral have a flock based on my bloodlines and they had some tremendous success here at Canberra."
Mrs Bertram was one of the founding members of the Black and Coloured Sheep Association in NSW when she formed her flock at Gulgong in 1972.
"There was a lot of interest around Gulgong and Mudgee at that time for wool suitable for handcrafted knitting," she said.
"It was a niche market but there was a lot of demand.
"I saw a paddock of brown sheep near Mudgee and decided I wanted some."
Mrs Bertram's flock has grown since that time and she continues to be a dedicated supporter of the Black and Coloured Association of NSW.