WITH any sort of luck, Ed might turn up at Pally to do a bit of shearin’.
If he does, he’ll join more than 60 shearers competing for big dollars and trophies at the inaugural Pallamallawa Speed Shear on Saturday, September 28.
The Pally Speed Shear, affiliated with the official New South Wales speed shear circuit, offers a staggering $36,000 prize money and trophies – ample reason for Ed shearin’ to lob.
Organiser Heather Bearman said the speed shear at the Pally Pub has lured shearers from across New South Wales and Queensland.
“Our open event will also be part of the New South Wales speed shear circuit, and we’ve so far received a big number of registrations – we are expecting a huge roll-up,” Heather said.
The Pally Speed Shear will also raise money for the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
“We’ll be running raffles, selling merchandise and also hold a calcutta on the six open finalists,” Heather said.
“We expect it to be a massive day and we’re over the moon to be bringing the event to the Moree shire and putting Pally on the speed-shear map.”
The huge day is supported by the Pally Pub, a host of generous sponsors, and Graham and Stafford Burey from Rosedale, near Garah.
“Graham and Stafford have allowed us to use their sheep for the day, and the Pally Pub is the perfect venue for an event of this scale,” Heather said.
Sponsors include Namoi Valley Shearing Services, Cooper’s Farm Gear, Allabah Pastoral Company, AD< Ross Contracting, 2 Rivers Guns and Ammo, O’Brien Farming, Compressed Air Light and Power, Gwydir Glass, Moree Real Estate, Muddy’s Quality Shearing, Bearman Scents, Byers Bulk Haulage, Meat on Maitland, LP Shearing, BSF, DM Livestock Services and FMBC.
Heather said shearers will compete in three grades – intermediate, senior and open.
“Each category consists of heats, semi-finals and finals,” she explained.
“The concept of a speed shear is based on times – by official time-keepers – and there are
three judges to ensure the quality of the shearing is up to class and to shed standards.”
Heather’s husband, Jordan, is a professional shearer who follows the speed shear circuit.
“I’ve travelled around New South Wales and Queensland watching Jordan compete at speed shearing events and we decided organising a speed shear for the Moree district would be a great opportunity to bring something new to Pally,” Heather said.
At around 6.30pm, when the shears are packed away and the sheep penned, Jarred Taylor from Tamworth and his band will perform live at the back of the Pally Pub.
Special return buses, leaving Moree at midday and 3pm, will be available. To book seats, click this link: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1270511.
The five-dollar cost per seat is a direct donation to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, along with raffle ticket sales, a percentage of the calcutta pool and profits from merchandise receipts.
“This will be a great family day out. Being Pally’s first speed shear means it will be a great event for everyone to experience for the first time,” Heather said.
Pallamallawa Speed Shear
When: Saturday, September 28, 2024
Where: The Pally Pub
Time: From 12.30pm
Bus Tickets: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1270511
Words: Bill Poulos
Image courtesy of Smiley Kez Photography
