The first day of the 2024 Golden Shears had a jam-packed stadium. Times-Age reporter KATE JUDSON asked competitors and supporters what brought them there.
Abbey Grant
My dad used to be a shearer before I was born and three of my brothers are shearers. Two of them fulltime. I was pretty keen to get into it when I started high school, they do shearing courses. Then got into the sheds, I really enjoyed it.
Elia Dale
To help out the community, volunteering with a group of others, that’s about it.
Sam Cavanagh
To have a crack and see how I go. It’s just a good all-round event, a good couple of days. I am yet to compete. I am a little bit nervous, but it will be all good once I get up there.
Hana Riddell
I’ve been in charge of wool handling for many years. It’s absolutely wonderful to see so many young people here today. There are so many grandparents and aunts and uncles that have come because of these young shearers.
Aidan Ellims
It’s great because it’s showcasing an industry, which New Zealand farmers are reliant on. We need to ensure that people like these novices or young shearers coming through have something to aspire to because all sheep farmers in New Zealand need these guys.
Haylie Wigglesworth
We love it. We’re rural [and] grew up in a shearing family. I’ve got two sons and multiple friends, one in novice and one in junior. The boys are taking after their dad.
Josh Chrystals
I am competing in the shearing. I think it’s an awesome event. It’s like the world cup of shearing.
Samantha Thomson
I’m just at the golden shears to have a go. I am a lifestyle shearer, just go and do something different and have a bit of fun. It’s wicked because you see everybody start in the novice and they slowly make their way up their shearing career.
