Female Shearers Break New Record in South Otago Strongwool Lambs

A team of four female shearers set a new benchmark by establishing the first-ever women’s eight-hour strongwool lamb record on January 31, 2023, at Melrose Station, near Owaka, New Zealand. This accomplishment is officially recognized by the World Sheep Shearing Records Society and marks a significant milestone in a traditionally male-dominated sport.

Leading the team was Te Atakura Crawford, who recorded the highest tally of the day with 530 lambs shorn, averaging 54.34 seconds per sheep. Crawford, who previously won the 2013 NZ Merino Shears senior title against an all-male field, showcased her exceptional skills during this record-setting attempt.

Her teammates included Ariana ‘Missy’ Te Whata, who contributed 504 lambs, Pagan Rimene, a renowned master woolhandler with 481, and Rose Lewis, who rounded out the team with 423 lambs. Lewis, a fifth-generation shearer originally from Manutuke, East Coast, now resides in Dubbo, New South Wales, where she works shearing merino sheep.

Overcoming Challenges and Setting Goals

Lewis’s journey to the record was not without its challenges. Just five months prior to the event, she was hospitalized with Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome (RCVS), which limited her training. Despite this setback, she remained determined to compete, finding her rhythm as the day progressed. “It was overwhelming and exciting to be part of the record-setting team,” Lewis expressed. She highlighted her family’s legacy in shearing, stating, “My father and his three brothers are in the world record book, so it was cool to be the first Lewis female to get in there and make my family proud.”

Lewis also emphasized the opportunities within the shearing industry, remarking, “It’s a great job, great industry; you can go in so many different places.” She hopes to pursue additional records, including those in Australia, aiming for greater heights in her career.

Encouraging Future Generations

Referee Neil Fagan noted that the new record serves as an inspiration for aspiring female shearers. He stated, “It’s just great to see those four girls getting out there and setting [a record], inspiring another four girls to have a go one day.” The achievement sets a challenging target for future competitors, which Fagan believes will encourage more women to enter the sport.

This record-setting event is the first of two multi-stand shearing record attempts planned for the summer in southern regions of New Zealand. On January 31, 2023, a team consisting of Shane Ratima, Paerata Abraham, and Leon Samuels will aim to break the three-stand, eight-hour strongwool lambs record at Waihelo Station, located in Moa Flat, West Otago. The current record was established in 2019 by Coel L’Huillier, Kaleb Foote, and Daniel Langlands at Puketiti Station, near Piopio.

The successful establishment of the women’s record in South Otago not only highlights the skill and dedication of these shearers but also marks a pivotal moment for gender representation in the sport. As more women participate, the landscape of competitive shearing is poised for significant transformation.