"Who’s Watching You? Role Models in the Shearing Industry"

Every one of us has a yarn about someone who shaped us — for better or for worse. Could’ve been the first person who showed you how to pick up a handpiece or throw a fleece. Might’ve been the boss who gave you a shot when no one else would. Maybe it was someone who could crank out a couple of hundred by lunchtime and still give a few helpful tips for the learner on their first day.

In the shearing game, where long hours, hard graft, and tight teams are the norm — role models matter more than we often admit. Because whether you know it or not, someone is always watching. The way you turn up, how you treat others, how you deal with pressure — it all leaves a mark.

And if we want to shift the culture in our sheds, it starts with role models. Not slogans or posters on the smoko room wall, but real people setting the tone day after day. Culture isn’t something you write down, it’s what you live. It’s the little things: the nod of respect when someone tries hard, the quiet word when someone’s out of line, the decision to help instead of mock.

Good culture grows from good people doing good things, consistently. If we want sheds that are safe, supportive, and still full of the guts and grit the job demands — we need the right people leading the way.

🐑 Why Young People Need Role Models

Let’s not sugar-coat it — shearing’s a tough gig. You’ve got 16-year-olds stepping into the shed for the first time, watching every move, every word. Whether they know it or not, they're looking for someone to model their work ethic, attitude, even their life outside of the job.

Studies show that strong role models help young people develop resilience, make better life choices, and manage mental stress. Poor role models? They can spark a spiral of shitty decisions that lead straight to burnout, addiction, or worse.

According to the Mental Health Foundation of NZ:

• Around 1 in 5 adults experience mental health issues each year

• Positive role models reduce risky behaviour in young people by up to 50%

• Most young people are influenced more by their peers than any formal leader

That’s massive in an industry where silence is often the default and peer pressure is real.

💪 The Good Ones – Not Just the Rockstars

Sure, we’ve got the world record holders. The guns who can shear and shear and keep banging out superhuman tallies. Then there are the competition shearers who are raising the bar for what excellence looks like — and doing it with humility and purpose. These legends push the industry forward and give young people something to strive for.

But let’s not forget the everyday warriors:

• The old boy who’s not the fastest, but always helps a learner out without being asked.

• The everyday team player who says YES to everything that comes their way, and is usually sitting pretty comfortably when it comes to life.

• The woolhandler who keeps the banter going, checks in on the quiet kid, and still pulls their weight on the board.

• The presser who knows everyone’s name, makes time for a yarn, and makes the shed feel like a second home.

These are the unsung heroes. They show young people how to work hard, stay kind, and be part of something bigger than just a paycheck.

👩‍🦰 Women Leading the Way

Bloody oath there are some tough, inspiring women out there now — and not just behind the broom. Women shearers are making waves in comps and on the world record stage, showing strength, skill and heart. That visibility is game-changing for young girls stepping into a shed where not that long ago, they might’ve been told to stay in the kitchen or on the broom.

We’re talking legends like Sacha Bond, Megan Whitehead, and Catherine Mullooly — strong, fast, and footing it with the boys in every way. Whether they’re breaking records or just showing up day after day with grit and grace, they’re setting a bloody high standard.

And they’re not alone. There’s a whole crew of young women coming up behind them — learning quick, working hard, and proving that gender’s got nothing to do with guts, skill, or shed smarts. If you ever get told you “shear like a girl,” bloody take it. Because those girls? They’re weapons.

They’re awesome to have in any shed. Confident, kind, inclusive, and bloody capable. That’s how you rewrite the story.

🌾 Farmers Who Step Up

Not all the influence comes from within the shed. Farmers are a huge part of the team — and they play a big role in shaping the culture too. A good farmer can lift a whole crew just by being present, respectful, and showing they give a damn. A bad one? They can kill morale before the first sheep even hits the board.

You remember good sheds — not just because of the job, but because of how it felt to be there. The tone of the shed starts with the crew, but it echoes from the farmer too. When they’re involved, appreciative, and aware, it makes a difference. When they’re absent, grumpy, or disrespectful? Everyone feels it.

Being present and checking in is key. It doesn’t take much — a simple “how’s the team going?” or “need anything sorted?” shows that you care and value the work being done.

💡 A Few Ways Farmers Can Set the Tone:

• Be visible – Pop into the shed. Don’t just leave the dogs barking and disappear. Say g’day.

• Show appreciation – A simple thanks or shout of morning tea goes further than you think.

• Check in with the crew – See how things are tracking, offer support, sort issues early.

• Look after facilities – A clean loo, tidy shed, and working gear show respect.

• Set clear expectations – Good comms before the job starts make everything smoother.

• Support good behaviour – Back the team when they’re doing things right, and don’t tolerate rubbish.

• Be open to feedback – Your farm’s a workplace — and feedback helps it run better.

• Talk about wellbeing – Let your staff and contractors know that mental health matters. A shed with that attitude is always a pleasure to be in.

😬 When Role Models Go Bad

Some people carry status in a shed — not because they’re good leaders, but because they’re loud, reckless, or good at hiding their own pain. They might look like they’re living the dream — hard work, hard partying, not a care in the world.

But following that lead? That’s where too many young workers get lost.

A bad role model can set off a domino effect of poor habits — and it happens fast:

• You see them drinking hard every night, so you think that’s normal.

• You hear them mock the quiet guy, so you do it too — just to fit in.

• You notice they never warm up, never rest, never ask for help, so neither do you.

• You watch them treat others like shit, and suddenly the shed’s a toxic mess.

• You think that’s just the way it is… and you pass it on.

That’s how an unhealthy culture gets ingrained. It doesn’t start with someone trying to do harm — it starts with someone who doesn’t realise they’re being watched, copied, and followed.

🛠️ Breaking the Cycle — For Both the Role Model and the Follower

If you think you might be a bad role model (even unintentionally):

• Take a step back and ask yourself, Would I want someone I love to follow my lead?

• Own your mistakes — nothing earns respect faster than honesty.

• Make small changes: drink less, listen more, cool your jets when things go sideways.

• Apologise if needed. A quiet "yeah I was a bit of a dick then" goes a long way.

• Find someone you respect and start following them for a bit — everyone needs guidance.

If you’re following someone who’s dragging you down:

• Pay attention to how you feel after spending time with them — are you feeling amped up or anxious? Proud or ashamed?

• Talk to someone else you trust — get a second opinion.

• Start modelling yourself on someone more stable, more positive.

• Create a few healthy habits of your own: eat well, train, read, spend time with people who bring out the good in you.

• Don’t be afraid to walk away from someone who’s hurting your chances. Your future’s more important than their approval.

🧠 The Mental Health Bit – Real Talk

This is where it hits hardest. Role models shape how we deal with pressure, failure, and stress. The right one teaches you how to pace yourself, speak up when things get heavy, and back your mates. The wrong one teaches you to bottle it up, numb it out, and pretend you’re bulletproof.

Stats don’t lie — young people working in high-pressure, male-dominated industries like shearing are at greater risk of anxiety, depression, and substance misuse. Add in isolation, long hours, and the “toughen up” attitude that still lingers in some sheds, and it’s no wonder so many suffer in silence.

• According to the Mental Health Foundation of NZ:

• Around 1 in 5 adults experience a mental health issue in any given year.

• Young men aged 15–24 are among the least likely to seek help — and the most likely to be influenced by their peers.

• A positive role model can reduce risky behaviour by up to 50% in high-pressure environments, simply by modelling safer, more supportive ways to cope.

Good role models don’t fix everything, but they open the door. They make it safer to speak up, to take a breather, to say “nah I’m not feeling right today” without being treated like a weak link.

They help build a culture where looking after your mental health isn’t a joke — it’s just part of doing the job right.

💼 How to Be a Good Role Model in the Shed

• Check in – Especially with younger crew. A quick "You sweet?" can open doors.

• Keep your cool – Pressure’s part of the gig. Show how to handle it without blowing your stack.

• Be confident, not cocky – Let your work speak for itself.

• Pass it on – Help others out with gear tips, techniques, and general know-how.

• Call it out – If someone’s out of line, speak up. Quietly, but clearly.

• Live what you preach – Make better choices outside the shed too.

• Show the bigger picture – Balance the job with hobbies, fitness, mates and family.

☎️ And for Anyone Feeling a Bit Lost...

You don’t have to follow the loudest voice. You don’t have to be like “that guy” to be respected. You can carve your own path — steady, strong, and solid.

If you’re struggling, there’s help:

• Talk to someone. A mate, a boss, a mental health helpline.

• Re-think who you spend time around. Who’s really building you up?

• If you’re in a position to be a role model — bloody own it.

• Find your people — mentors and role models don’t have to come from the shearing world.

• Look around — local sports clubs, community groups, family, or old teachers. There are good buggers everywhere if you keep your eyes open.

• Don’t be afraid to ask for a yarn or a bit of advice. Most legends are more than happy to help, they just don’t always shout about it.

🧭 Wrapping It All Up

At the end of the day, it’s not just the tallies you leave behind — it’s the impression you make on the people around you. The right role model doesn’t just teach you how to shear better or sweep faster. They show you how to live better. How to handle pressure. How to carry yourself with pride and treat others with respect.

A good role model can leave a mark on your life that lasts long after the wool’s baled and the season’s done.

And if that role model is you — keep going. Keep showing up. Keep raising the bar. You’re helping shape the next generation of shearers, woolhandlers, pressers, and farmers. You’re the reason someone gets through a tough week or finds the confidence to keep pushing.

But if you reckon someone’s leading you — or others — down the wrong track? Say something. Quietly. Respectfully. But honestly. You might just be the nudge they need to take a better path — or find someone worth following.

Because role models aren’t just a nice idea. They’re how we change the culture — one shed, one person, one moment at a time.