Did you know that the Australian Merino sheep, prized for producing exceptionally fine, soft wool, originated in Spain during the Middle Ages?

From Spain, the Merino subsequently spread to many parts of the world, including South Africa, and New Zealand and it was from a flock in South Africa that John MacArthur (known as the father of the Australian Merino industry) first took Merinos to Australia in 1788. By mid-2024, Australia had a total national sheep flock of approximately 79.1 million head, with Merino sheep remaining the dominant breed.

Mike Smith was a Burnside boy who shunned city life to go jackerooing in his late teens and went on to become a stock agent/auctioneer and wool industry expert.

He will share an abundant package of woolly tales, covering 200 years of people, places, and faces in the Australian wool industry. You will hear how John Macarthur enhanced his land holding by shooting his boss, about the transition from blade to machine driven shears, about sheep in poetry and song, and the Burra ram who made the eye watering world record price in1989 of $450,000!

Cost: $35 (incudes morning tea/coffee and scones with jam and cream)

Book at Trybooking: FOCH- Fund raising event- WALTZING MATILDA