The competition is part of the Natimuk Agricultural and Pastoral Society Show.

Competition founder Michael Sudholz said the day attracted an excellent number of competitors.

“It was a struggle to get dry sheep because of the rain, but we managed to get enough about five minutes before we were ready to start, so that was a nail-biting few hours,” he said.

“Overall we had good support though, with plenty of shearers and roustabouts.”

Mr Sudholz said for the first time there was more female roustabouts than males.

“We also had a female blade shearer enter the competition for the first time,” he said.

“We had another woman compete in the machine competition as well.”

Mr Sudholz said it was great to see more women getting involved in shearing.

“It’s a sign of the times – staff and sheds are now better equipped to accommodate women,” he said.

“There are a lot more girls wanting to give it a go and shearing is becoming more popular.

“Everyone gets a buzz out of it and it’s great to see.

“I looked down the table at one point on Saturday and there was about 10 women standing there – I thought, we’ve never had this before.”

Mr Sudholz said shearers at the competition worked through about 125 sheep.

“They got through them very quickly because we finished about an hour ahead of schedule,” he said.

“One bloke sheared seven sheep in eight minutes.

“It was a fierce competition and well contested.”

Mr Sudholz said the competition was a highlight of the Natimuk Show.

“It really livens the show up and people come along especially for the shearing,” he said.

“Shearers use the competition to get their points up, which will enable them to enter the Victorian contest in Bendigo in July.

“They get one point for entering and then additional points if they place.

“We are the last shearing event that people can enter to get points before the competition, so lots of people come to Natimuk chasing points.

“It benefits us because more people make an effort to come.”

Mr Sudholz said the first prize was $500 in the open section.

He said in the novice section, the winner received a $750 handpiece.

“We have pretty generous prizes and a new handpiece is great for those shearers who are just starting out,” he said.