Wool school in a class of its own

Tasmania’s first Centre of Excellence for Shearing and Wool Handling has officially opened at Campbell Town.

Initially promised during the 2024 state election, construction on the $1.5 million facility began only four months ago.

Construction steering committee chair Kip Gray said a conversation with his wife about improving the current shearing facilities at the Campbell Town Showgrounds in 2022 is what spurred the Midland Agricultural Association to get funding for the building.

“It enables us to actually run what we’re trying to do, which is bring a national shearing competition into Tasmania,” Mr Gray said.

“They’ll be shearing up to something like 2000 sheep here in this shed, and that’s a huge boost for tourism for the state.”

Mr Gray said the new centre of excellence would also help encourage school-age children to consider a career in the shearing and wool handling industry.

“We have a bit of a lull there at the moment, and we need to get young people into the field.

“This is a great way to encourage them by giving them the best facilities they could possibly get.

“And for our shearing competition boys that go and represent Tasmania, they’ve got state-of-the-art equipment here.”

Mr Gray said it could double as a function centre.

The Tasmanian shearing industry is in the midst of a decline and the hope is that the new facility will reverse that trend.

“Sheep numbers have certainly dropped off on the merino side of things, a lot of which is to do with the shearing side of things,” Mr Gray said.

“The cost of shearing the sheep is now becoming more expensive.”

Primary Industries Minister Gavin Pearce said Tasmania now has a one-stop shop to showcase its sheep and wool industry.

“The Centre of Excellence for Shearing and Wool Handling will be the epicentre of education, training, events and competition for our shearers and the community.

“Importantly, the centre will serve as a key pathway for training our future generations of shearers and wool handlers, a vital part of ensuring the ongoing viability of our $54 million wool industry.

“This is a prime example of industry and government working together to move our state forward and deliver for Tasmania.”