Good Bastards of the Shed

Every industry has them, but ours seems to breed them — the good bastards. You know the ones. The people who make a hard day’s graft not just bearable, but bloody enjoyable. The ones who bring the shed alive, keep everyone moving, and remind us why we love this mad job in the first place.

This one’s for them. And for you lot reading this — I want you to think about the characters you’ve worked alongside over the years. The memorable buggers who’ve left their mark. At the end, chuck your own stories in the comments. Let’s celebrate the good bastards while they’re still here to have a beer with.

1. The Positivity Powerhouse

Some people just have that knack of walking into the shed and lifting the whole mood.

• They’re cracking jokes while shearing sheep.

• They laugh off a bent comb instead of swearing at it.

• They’ve always got a “we’ll get through it” attitude, even when it’s snowing sideways and the pen’s full.

  
  

A positive bugger in the team makes all the difference. Energy spreads — good or bad. These legends are the reason we come back the next day with a grin instead of a grudge.

2. The Workhorses

No fuss. No drama. Just bloody get on with it. They’re the backbone — the ones who’ll stay an extra hour, press another bale, help others out without being asked, or knock over a tally that makes the rest of us look half-asleep.

Sure, they might not be the loudest in the smoko room, but everyone knows when they’re not there. Things just don’t tick along the same.

3. The Shed Clowns

Every crew needs a stirrer — the character who keeps the banter rolling and the belly laughs coming.

• They’ll stick a blunt cutter back on your string.

• They'll unscrew your oil bottle.

• They’ll imitate the boss’s “serious face.”

• They’ll have a story so outrageous you’re not sure if it’s true (but you secretly hope it is).

Humour is the grease that keeps the gears turning. Without the clowns, a shed gets bloody grim.

4. The Quiet Legends

Not every good bastard is the loud type. Some are the steady ones in the background:

• First to notice when someone’s struggling.

• Always got a spare comb, a bit of kai, or that spare handpiece part tucked away.

• Never in the middle of the drama, but always there when you need them.

  
  

They don’t want the spotlight, but you can bet the shed runs smoother because of them.

5. The Farmers Who “Get It”

Yep, good bastards aren’t just in the crew. Some farmers are absolute gems, too. They’ll:

• Have a proper yarn instead of just talking tallies.

• Drop a tray of scones in for smoko or a box for a job well done.

• Actually, notice and say something when the jobs running well and the team’s humming.

When you hit a farm like that, you don’t forget it.

6. The Uncle or Aunty

Every crew’s got one — the “shed mum” or “shed dad” figure. Might be an old shearer with a crook back who now presses, or a woolhandler who’s seen more lambing seasons than most of us have had hot dinners.

They’ve got stories for days (some true, some… maybe not), scars that prove they’ve been there and done that, and a sixth sense for spotting when a young fulla’s running on empty or heading down the wrong track.

• They’ll quietly pull you aside when you’re pushing too hard and say, “Ease up mate, plenty more sheep where those came from.”

• They’ll give the young guns a clip round the ear when they’re being dicks, but also share a beer or a yarn to smooth it over.

• They’re the first to share knowledge — whether it’s how to grind properly, how to budget your first pay packet, or how to handle the Monday blues after a big weekend.

  
  

The Uncle or Aunty doesn’t just keep the shed ticking — they pass on the culture, the pride, and the unwritten rules of the game. Without them, we’d lose half the stuff that makes this industry what it is.

7. The Cheeky Buggers

Then there are the ones who are constantly pushing the boat out — but somehow never quite tip it over. They’ll:

• Tease the presser about being slow on the press up, then jump in to give them a hand.

• Wind the farmer up with a witty remark, but finish with a grin and a handshake.

• Take the piss out of everyone in and out of the shed, including themselves, so no one’s safe but no one’s sore about it.

The cheeky buggers keep everyone on their toes. They bring a spark without turning it into a scrap, and they’ve got an instinct for where the line is — and how not to cross it.

Every shed needs one. Without them, things would run too straight and be boring.

Why Good Bastards Matter More Than You Think

It’s easy to say “yeah, they make the day better” – but there’s actually a heap of research behind why being around positive people is bloody good for us.

Here’s the gist:

• Emotions are contagious. Psychologists call it emotional contagion – the idea that moods spread through a group like the flu. If one person’s upbeat, it lifts the crew. If one person’s toxic, it drags the whole place down.

• Social support protects your brain. Strong, supportive relationships reduce stress, anxiety, and even physical health problems. That’s why having an Uncle/Aunty figure or a positive teammate isn’t just nice – it literally keeps people healthier.

• Optimism fuels resilience. Studies show that optimistic people handle setbacks better, bounce back quicker, and are less likely to burn out. In a shed context, that’s the joker who laughs off a blown comb instead of letting it wreck their whole day.

• Culture eats stress for breakfast. A crew with a good culture can take on long days, bad weather, and demanding jobs without falling apart. A poor culture? One small problem can escalate into a full-blown drama.

  
  

What it Means for the Shed

• A laugh at the right time isn’t “just banter” – it’s stress relief.

• An Uncle or Aunty checking in isn’t “just being nosey” – it’s suicide prevention.

• A farmer dropping in a beer or having a yarn isn’t “just good” – it’s recognition and respect, which fuels motivation.

  
  

This stuff matters more than we give it credit for. Positive culture isn’t fluffy – it’s survival in an industry as tough as ours.

A Few Things to Remember

• Check in on each other. If someone’s gone quiet, don’t just rib them – ask if they’re alright.

• Choose your influence. If you’re the positive one, you’re leading whether you like it or not.

• Mind your banter. There’s cheeky, and then there’s cruel. One builds the team, the other tears it down.

• Value the good bastards. They’re not just characters – they’re keeping the whole machine running smoother than you realise.

👉 So next time you’re in the shed and that one person makes you laugh, lends a hand, or keeps you sane – don’t just think “good bastard.” Realise they’re part of the reason you’ll still be here shearing, pressing, or handling wool ten years down the track instead of being burnt out, broken and grumpy with life.

Your Turn

This list isn’t finished — not by a long shot. The shearing industry is full of personalities, and everyone’s got a tale of a good bastard who made their job better.

So here’s the challenge: chuck your stories in the comments. Who’s the best shed-mate, shearer, farmer, presser, or wool handler you’ve worked with? What’s the yarn you still laugh about?

Let’s build a wall of legends right here and give them the recognition they deserve.

At the end of the day, sheep get shorn, but it’s the people we remember. The good bastards are the glue holding this industry together. Long may they last.

The team having a laugh