A Tribute to Godfrey Bowen, co-founder of the Agrodome, and
brother of Ivan Bowen who pioneered the Bowen Technique still used by shearers
today.
In 1982 he wrote a fictionalized account of Sheep Shearing
competition “The Ringer’s stand” the book starts off with “Old Sam was a
contractor of 30 years standing and he really knew his shearers. He had
employed them all – good, average and indifferent – and occasionally the
no-hoper” so begins the story of the Ringer. The Ringer must prove himself worthy of his
reputation and proceeds to do just that, and along the way sending the previous
No.1 shearer back to No. 2 with some resentment but also grudging respect for
the Ringer’s clearly the better, faster shearer.
Throughout the story some Shearing slang is used, these are
just a few:
“Strangers” – the neighbours sheep with their owners earmark
“Fleeco” – Skilled shedhand who takes away the shorn fleece
“Wet ewes” – Ewes suckling a lamb
“Fadge” – An incomplete bale of unpressed fleeces, oddments
or pieces
“Strides” – Shearers trousers
These slang terms give the reader a clear picture of the
shearing shed and what is involved in shearing 800 sheep a day! Not a place for
the unfit and fainthearted.
A copy of “The Ringer’s Stand” is held in the Don Stafford
Room, Heritage Collection on the 2nd Floor.
