Guest Speakers - Shearing History

Bernie introduced "Banjo" Patterson and Peter Piavanini as our guest speakers whose experience in the sheep and wool industry is long and legendary.

 

Peter began work as a 16 year old Board Boy in the industry, traveling to the Ozone Hotel in Fremantle for a job and then by truck to the Kimberley. Being a boy this was quite frightening and he was away for 3 to 4 months at at time. He travelled to places such as the De Grey, Mt. Vetters, Kalgoolrlie, Nookenbah, etc. peter has noted the changes over the years from the dying out of the numbers of Aboriginal Stockmen, the change in machinery, reduction in total sheep numbers due to dogs, dingoes, and changes to markets. In the south of the state, much sheep have been lost to cropping whereas the beef industry and dogs have all but elliminated sheep in the north of WA.

 

Banjo gave a longer history of his career starting in the early 1950's in the Kimberley when there were no bitumen roads. There were six main stations he attended with sheep numbers in the order of 20,000 to 50,000 head. The sheds were specialised for for shearing, classing, and facilities for sleeping, washing and dining were either part of or nearby. Some of the old shearing sheds are protected by the national trust, but some have deteriorated.

 

Both Banjo and Peter gave some funny and interesting stories and statistics. For instance, back then you could expect to be paid Three pound and six shillings per 100 sheep, equivalent to $6.60 and the average a shearer could shear was 200. Today with wide combs and more powerful machinery and work flow this is around 300.  There were a lot of restrictions as well such as curfews, limits on alcohol, etc. But they were what they were and were mostly good memories.

 

Collie had 6 to 7 shearing teams, and the Federal was the place to find shearing staff. A good cook was always a priority as it could affect the team.

Bob Greig who was an industry stalwart with the Pastoralists and Gaziers Association, gave thanks to Peter and Banjo for a most entertaining and interesting view of the shearing industry and their experiences.