Westbury Show program a cut above the rest

Tasmania's third-oldest agricultural show, Westbury Show, has reinvigorated shearing and wool handling as a key agricultural showcase and will have the big guns ready to rumble on Saturday, November 8.

Sam Byers, fresh from taking out third place at the National Championships and cementing a spot in the Australian team to go to New Zealand next year, will head a skilled lineup on the boards.

The Great Shearing and Wool handling Competition is in its third year at the show, with a three-stand shearing board and two tables setup for the wool handling, plus a judges’ and officials’ area and plenty of room for spectators.

It’s an event offering seven divisions which cater for all levels - novice, intermediate, senior and open shearing plus novice, senior and open wool handling.

Shearing event coordinator Jess Whatley, who was also state wool handling team manager at the Nationals, said that a team of at least 20 volunteer judges will be on hand for the day, scoring on the quality of the wool shorn and handling of the sheep along with cleanliness of blows and amount of wool left on the sheep.

“The wool handling also being judged on the way they handle, prepare and throw the fleece on the table ready for skirting, plus the cleanliness of their area and speed,” she said.

“It’s great spectator entertainment, highlighting how incredibly labour-intensive this industry can be while producing a fibre that’s adored all over the world.”

The Nationals were held in Jamestown, South Australia last weekend with a contingent of 22 Tasmanians taking part – many are ready to back up their performances at Westbury Show.

Sam Byers from Tasmania took out third place in the Open shearing division which earned him a green blazer and a spot on the Australian team which will travel to New Zealand for the Golden Shears and the World Title in 2026. 

Tom Jacobson won the novice shearing, Georgina Viney was third in the novice wool handling with Ellen McIntosh fifth. Tom Pitchford was fifth in the intermediate shearing, Erin Lawler won the senior wool handling and Victoria Lang was third in the open wool handling.

Other highlights at the Westbury Show will include miniature remote-controlled trucks and diggers, Bluey the cattle dog and the much-loved cavies are also returning after an absence of several years.

The pet lamb competition is always well supported and a record number of entries have been received.

A free Kids' Corner with activities like face painting, laser tag and pony rides, the Hagley Rural Youth Dog Jump, woodchopping, sheep shearing, horse, kennel, and cattle competitions, as well as Matthew Johnston's Yard Dog Trials, the animal nursery, and home industries displays, will also be back.

The equestrian competition is one of the biggest on the circuit, held over three days from the 7th to the 9th, with show jumping taking centre stage in front of the grandstand.

Show entry prices are: adults $15; families $30; children (6-16, $5; and children under 6 are free.

Gates are open at 9am.