Tassie shearers and wool handlers were out in force at the recent Bendigo Show and the Australian National Shearing and Wool Handling Championships both held on 24-26 November in Bendigo.

The competition is based on shearing and wool handling. Scores in the shearing section are based on the number of sheep shorn, the time taken and cleanliness, without wounds and secondary cuts.

Wool handling scores are based on sorting wool and fleeces to a standard, separation into lines and finally presentation to the judges.

The state-based competition involves two shearers and two wool handlers shearing 6-8 sheep and classing the fleeces.

At the Bendigo Show, Jess Whatley from Meander was in good form. She was a top two qualifier for the final and semi-final of the Open wool handling. Ultimately she was awarded second place.

Unfortunately, Jess missed out on the National Open wool handling title based on a technicality.

Tasmanian Sam Byers was placed 5th in the National Shearing competition.

Jess and Robbie Glover (from the Lakes) were members of the Tassie team that well and truly outperformed the NSW and Victorian teams in both the shearing and wool handling sections to win the National Open Teams competition.