News

Shearing day raises major cash for children’s charity

By Geoff Adams

Aug 1, 2025

Eddie Clarke, a gun shearer still shearing at the age of 78. Pictures: Sharon Perry. Photo by Sharon Perry

The Wanalta shearers have done it again, with a major contribution to support children with cancer.

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

For 11 years, the people of the Rushworth, Wanalta and Colbinabbin communities have banded together for an annual fundraising event in the shearing shed of Wanalta farmer Bill Barlow.

Shearers donated their time to shear the Barlow flock, while the locals gathered for a fun day outside on Friday, July 25.

Event co-ordinator Katrina Ogden said the day raised a total of $84,377, which will be directed to the My Room cancer charity.

While down slightly on last year’s total, Ms Ogden said it had been a tough year for farming and recent weather conditions limited the scope of shearing on the day.

Due to rainfall, the sheep had to be shedded in advance and then given shelter after the shearing, thus limiting the numbers to about 300.

However, Ms Ogden said she was happy with the day and praised the volunteers and supporters for their contributions.

Rain on the day held off until after the charity auction, run by Elders agent Nigel Starick, had been completed.

My Room charity CEO Margaret Zita has a go at shearing, guided by gun shearer Adam Clarke.

This was the 11th year for the charity event which started on a more modest scale, when three-year-old Lori Perry was diagnosed with cancer and the community decided to pitch in to help her and her family with the treatment in Melbourne.

Since then, it has grown into a major event, and the money raised has been directed through the registered charity, My Room.

My Room supports children undergoing cancer treatment and their families, largely through the Royal Children’s Hospital and Monash Medical Centre in Melbourne.

Money has been used to enhance the treatment wards at the Royal Children’s and to support families who want to stay in Melbourne to support their child.

Lori is now 13, and she attended the shearing day to thank the supporters and to engage in some of the fun activities. She is still undergoing treatment.

My Room chief executive officer Margaret Zita also attended the day.

All the auction items, including a big range of farm supplies and collectors items, like signed jumpers by Geelong AFL star Tom Hawkins and Eagles player Harley Reid, were sold on the day.