A wax model of a shearer brings backs memories

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We spent ages in the Hood-Penn Museum in Westonia, Western Australia. The wax model of a shearer was very authentic. Look at the way the cigarette hangs from his lip. He is busy cleaning his handpiece which Beau, his border collie, keeps him company. I remember shearing days on our farm. We only had two ‘stands’ so only ever had two shearers to take the wool off. For most of the years I can remember, they stayed in the house and their meal and break times were strictly regulated. Occasionally, they would knock off (stop shearing) early to sharpen the combs and cutters which formed the cutting part of the handpiece. The shifts were 7.30 to 9.30am, 10.00 to midday, 1.00 to 3.00pm then 3.30 to 5.30pm. They would come up to the house for their midday meal but morning and afternoon breaks were taken in the shearing shed. We would take billies of tea down to the shed along with cakes and biscuits.