Shearing is the final stage in our year of wool growing when every sheep passes through the woolshed, through the hands of skilled shearers and wool handlers before the wool is finally sold. This year we have less sheep than we normally would thanks to the dry conditions. The mustering was dusty, windy work and not all of the sheep were as strong as they could be. But, there is a certain amount of nostalgia and tradition surrounding shearing and the seasonal conditions will never take that away from us.
There will always be dust, woolly grease, barking dogs, cigarette smoke, the buzz of the shearing gear and the clunking of the wool press. The shearers tend to favour loud, upbeat dance tunes to break the monotony and plenty of no nonsense food with possibly some other substances to keep the energy levels up.
In the paddock everyone has their part to play in getting the sheep steadily into the sheep yards and back out again. This year I spent my mornings in the ute at the tail of the mob, picking up any lambs that were too weak to walk. Carrying the smoko and thermoses, ready for the mustering crew is another responsibility I take quite seriously! It feels good to contribute where I can and support The Shady Farmer and his crew.
And then just like that, it is all over. With fully loaded cars the shearers disappear down the road and all is quiet again. Well, it was quiet until we rounded out our week with an evening at our local show.
Years ago I believe our local show was more of a traditional agricultural show. Nowadays it is more about the sideshows and show bags with the exception of a beautiful old poultry pavilion. Squealing show rides and plastic trinkets are not my thing but this year I decided just to embrace it with the kids, for a few hours and it really was fun.
Who can resist supporting a community event and eating some greasy show food? The light was pretty, which kept my creative side happy and the kids were thrilled with their outing. It was also nice to walk out into the quiet evening , leaving the lights and grit behind us!
That was our week, a little bit of everything.
How are you?
Is there something nostalgic that comes around every year in your world?
Do you embrace your local show?
Happy Sunday, friends x
Judy
The local show was one of my favourite weekends of the year during my childhood. I’m looking forward to taking my 3 year old granddaughter this year. Today I’m going to a tiny house exhibition in Kinglake, just outside Melbourne. Should be interesting. Happy days.
Jane S
The tiny house exhibition sounds fascinating Judy!
EWE BEAUTY
beautifully captured Jane …. love your sheep photos… and always enjoy the commentary! you have a wonderful way with words xx
Jane S
Thank you Trish!
Toph
Dear Jane .. thanks for sharing another perfect blog .. brilliant photos n wish I could have one of those corella’s so rare over here 😉😢 have a great week and look forward to yournext update …
Greeting’s from thailand
toph
Jane S
Thank you Toph, nice to hear from you!
Cheryl
I generally love our local show, and I started entering some baking in it a few years ago. I’ve done really well, and jagged First Prize AND Best In Show for my fruit cake in my first year (a feat I haven’t since managed to repeat yet) Entries for this year’s show need to be in by Friday, but I’m feeling a little ‘meh’ about it all this year. I’m really torn, the show needs the support of new younger blood, but my heart isn’t really in it this year.
I’ll think about it, I’ve only got 5 days!
Jane S
Oh Cheryl that is fantastic, I know those fruit cake competitions can be very serious at the shows. I have not entered cooking in our show for years, the timing just never seems to right. But yes, these things need support to keep going don’t they?
Elise
We’ve been getting sick of our local show with all the loud rides and showbags. The last couple of years we have been taking the kids to the smaller country shows and it has been great. The emphasis has been on the animals and competitions such as woodchopping etc. They even got to pat wombats and hold lizards and possums at the last show we went too and not coming from a farming background they loved seeing all the sheep and chickens etc. So much nicer than worrying about which showbags to buy!
Jane S
The smaller country shows are almost always the best Elise. I cannot remember exactly where you are but have you heard of the Wentworth show is NSW? It is a traditional country show that just seems to go from strength to strength.
Gerrie Mackey
Lovely photos, and the sight of the dust rising, and the feeling of heat reminds of times I spent in the central west NSW. I trained to be a teacher in Bathurst, and did my prac. at Broken Hill, also visited lots of properties out west, I remember the shows and the B & S balls…don’t suppose they have them anymore!
Lovely blog and photos.
Jane S
Oh yes I remember the B & S balls too Gerrie! Not many of them left now, none around Broken Hill that is for sure. Thank you for calling in.
Anne
I always love your photos of the sheep – the best place for sheep is on someone else’s property 🙂
We used to have a show near here but it turned from an agricultural show to more of a shopping mall with fairground and a bit of showjumping until it gave up. There are still small shows in rural areas, but sadly we’re too urban here. I hadn’t encountered show bags until we went to Australia – our children loved them!
Jane S
Great description Anne…a mall with a fairground, so true! Unfortunately.
kate
As always gorgeous photos, even the show. I tend to see them through rose-coloured glasses too. If it’s pointed out, I see how completely awful the sideshows can be, but that’s me the adult. I am sure children see something else entirely, and why spoil it.
Jane S
Yes, the children certainly see it differently Kate!
Kate
Hi Jane, I’m about to go back into Royal Melbourne show with the kids for the final carcass competition results (I’ve already spent 5 days in there with the cattle and students). Every year I take one of my kids back in with me, this year I’m taking both. We have some pretty strict rules, because the show is EXPENSIVE, but this year we’ve agreed no rides, one showbag each and we are going to explore at all the things that make an agricultural show an agricultural show, and try to block out the flashing lights and excessive noise of the carnival rides.
I much prefer our local shows to the big ones. They are definitely aimed at what they should be aimed towards rather than a huge commercial juganought that makes up the big ones.
And tell George he has good taste in shirts, we’ve got that one hanging in a wardrobe here too.
Jane S
Thanks Kate for your thoughtful comment. Yes, so true! Great effort with your cattle and students. The Wentworth show is how a show should be isn’t it? Not that I have been for years. That shirt is a winner. I saw Nicole B on the weekend, in other news. xx