“Being good at my job simply comes from passion. I just love shearing! I’ve always been sporty and active, so it’s like a sport to me because it’s such a massive physical challenge. Since it’s physically hard, it becomes a mental challenge too because you’re trying to control a live animal and that can take a lot of patience.
My love for the woolsheds started at an early age. I grew up on a sheep and beef farm in Havelock, where my mum introduced me to working in the woolsheds like she had done when she was younger. I grew to love the environment and worked as a wool handler when I was at school.
By sixth form, I was working holidays and weekends and even trying to get days off to go work in there! Back then, crossbreed wool was suffering from a lack of marketing, so I did a Bachelor of Commerce in Agriculture, majoring in marketing at Lincoln University.
I worked for a company in Christchurch for six months after I graduated, but missed the sheds too much and didn’t enjoy office life.
Luckily, a friend in England called, needing a wool handler, so I accepted the job and went travelling for two years. It was completely different to New Zealand. There are no shearing sheds in England – you shear outside on the trailer and you’re doing little mobs, moving around all day. I got to see a lot of the countryside.
This story is from the January 11, 2021 edition of New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the January 11, 2021 edition of New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Five minutes with...ASHLYN TYMMS
Standing ovation! The Aussie opera star’s singing the praises of hot chips and Kiwi ski slopes
JESS NAILS THE PRIZE
The young tradie can also put out fires should the need arise!
MEET THE FAMOUS SIBLINGS
But are they each others’ biggest fans or foes? Here they spill some home truths!
Go get 'em, cowboy!
Beyoncé is riding high despite the controversy surrounding her new country album.
TRUE SPIRIT
The Kiwi actress is bravely battling a mystery illness
KIA ORA, BRAVE KING!
The King is determined not to let his cancer stop him from making a trip to New Zealand later this year.
Holiday time FUN REIGNS!
Take the good times outside and create a magical world full of fantasy and whimsy with these fab projects
Compost SOS PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS
Making compost is not an exact science. Each batch will be different due to the seasonal availability of scraps, the changes in the weather and variations in your compost management.
Crunch TIME!
These flaky, tasty crackers are ideal to serve to guests or to tuck into a lunchbox
'WE CAN SURVIVE ANYTHING'
Having beaten the odds, the multi-sport champ’s teaching others how to overcome dark times