By NICOLE TEUNON
SEPTEMBER has arrived, and with it, the sights and sounds of shearing season are in full swing across the Strathbogie Shire.
The rhythmic snip of shears, the buzz of electric hand pieces and the steady hum of hardworking shearers mark the start of the season.
Euroa has been known to have produced some of the best shearers in Australia, with some having the honour of being inductees into the Australian Shearer’s Hall of Fame.
The shearing shed, a modest structure that has stood for decades, becomes the hub of activity.
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Inside, shearers, many of whom have honed their craft over a lifetime, move with practiced precision.
Shearing is no easy task.
Each sheep is carefully guided by a shearer, who must remove the wool in one piece.
It’s a delicate balance of speed, strength, and finesse.
Skilled shearers can handle up to hundreds of sheep a day, working tirelessly from dawn until dusk.
The wool, once removed, is sorted and baled, ready to be sold or shipped to processors.
While the tradition of shearing remains a constant, technology continues to play a role in shaping the process.
More farmers are investing in automated shearing equipment and tools to increase efficiency and reduce labor costs.
Still, there's no replacement for the steady hand and keen eye of a skilled shearer.
For now, the season is young, and there is plenty of wool to be shorn.
From the shearers and farmhands to the truck drivers and wool buyers, every hand plays a part in bringing the product to market.
As the shearing sheds continue to buzz with life and activity, it’s clear that this age-old tradition is still at the heart of our rural community.
