A RARE lunchtime event took place on Monday in the midst of a busy day of shearing at Konetta Station.
The landmark Greenways property on the Princes Highway midway between Millicent and Kingston welcomed three of TAFE’s elite shearing and wool ambassadors to a presentation in its 12-stand shed.
Novice shearers Justin Ireland from Port Broughton and Ben Heinrich from Eudunda and wool handler Shannon Donoghue from Naracoorte were acknowledged by TAFE officials and sponsors for their efforts as they sought to enter the vital rural industry.
TAFE shearing and wool handler program coordinator Glenn Haynes said the trio had shown the right attitude, leadership skills and quality presentation skills as part of their training in recent months.
According to Mr Haynes, they had demonstrated a range of skills beyond the technical and physical prowess needed for success in international shearing and wool handing competitions.
Mr Haynes thanked his fellow TAFE instructors, the sponsors and the owners of sheds where shearing schools are conducted.
Acknowledgement also came from Keith McBride, who is the chairman of AJ and PA McBride Pty Ltd, which owns Konetta Station.
Mr McBride stressed the importance of new entrants to the industry and wished the trio good luck in their careers
To coincide with the shearing of 30,000 sheep over a four-week period, TAFE is using the local shed as a learning school for budding shearers and wool handlers.
The novices are working the boards in the company of their instructors and experienced hands.
Their working day runs from 7.30am until 5.30pm with breaks for lunch and morning and afternoon “smoko”.
The sheep are sourced from Konetta Station and other properties owned by AJ and PA McBride Pty Ltd.
The company erected the shed in 2011 and is set to host a further shearing session of 30,000 sheep there later this year.
