WHAT could be more Australian than eating a pie, shearing a sheep and drinking a beer?
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This is exactly what will happen on Thursday afternoon at 6.30pm at the Sporties in Wagga as a prelude to Australia Day and to raise funds and awareness for Beyond Blue.
Livestock agent Matt Hawker of H Francis and Co said the event initially kicked off about three years ago and this was the second time at the Sportsman’s Hotel.
“It is a really good way to create a bit of awareness and to raise some money,” he said.
Ten shearers have been selected to participate and going on past results the quickest time to complete the challenge was estimated to be around one-and-a-half minutes. An average time was closer to four minutes.
“I couldn’t think of anything more Australian than that,” Mr Hawker told The Rural.
The shearing will take place on the back of a semi trailer and it provides the perfect backdrop for spectators and people who want to support the charitable cause.
Mr Hawker said it was an ideal lead up to Australia Day activities the next day.
He explained that it was an invitational event and the shearers would firstly eat a pie, and then shear a sheep before downing a beer.
The three tasks would be timed using a stopwatch to determine the winner.
For spectators there was an opportunity to “bid on” a winner and this would help to pledge funds for Beyond Blue.
Mr Hawker said aside from raising much-needed money for the charity it was also a great chance to catch up and to raise awareness of depression and mental health in rural and regional areas.
“The event should go for a couple of hours and I am thinking it will attract a decent crowd, there will be shakers to donate money on the bar and it will be good to have people come along,” he said.
“We want to make people aware and encourage them to look after their mates.”