Hall of Fame awards for shearer trainers

Two of the five shearing legends that were inducted in the Hall of Fame this year were Brian Sullivan of Deniliquin in NSW and Damien Boyle of Broomhill in WA.

Brian has been a shearer trainer for the past 20 years, the past 10 years with AWI, while Damien has been a trainer for the past three years with AWI.

The other three shearing legends that were inducted in the Hall of Fame in October were Peter Black of WA, Peter Orcher of NSW and Alan Williams of NSW.

Other current AWI trainers already inducted into the Hall of Fame are Ian Elkins of NSW and Kevin Gellatly of WA.

Damien Boyle

Damien Boyle training shearers at the WA Government’s Muresk Institute at Northam in June 2023.

Choosing a career in shearing was a natural choice for Damien. His father is farmer, shearer and WA wool industry legend Don Boyle. Damien learnt how to shear from his father on the family’s own flock at Mt Barker before joining, at 15, a local team run by Don.

Having been lucky enough to be taught by one of the best, Damien appreciates the value of training for both the shearer and the woolgrower.

“Formal training for learner shearers is vital to get them into a good style and know a quality job. Once the technique has been mastered, pace will then come,” Damien said.

“Importantly, training educates shearers about what the standard is to provide the best outcome for the farmer. The farmer has spent 12 months growing the wool and then passes the baton to the shearer to complete the job. If the job is performed below standard there will be a financial implication to the farmer.”

Damien’s own career has had many highlights, including a successful competition shearing career. At age 37, Damien had 22 years of competition under his belt and he has made the finals of 99% of competitions he has entered. He has won multiple national titles and more than 200 open competitions.

Damien says he was honoured to be inducted into the Australian Shearers’ Hall of Fame in October.

“I felt extremely proud and it was a great weekend that I got to share with family and friends. Being inducted alongside Brian was even more special,” Damien said.

“I love shearing, I’ve loved shearing in teams, loved being able to travel and work. My competition shearing career allowed me to meet so many passionate people from all ends of the globe. I now enjoy training learners, it’s such a privilege to help them and watch them grow and enjoy the industry.

“It’s a great career for youngsters to join. They get to meet people and travel around, can learn on the job, don’t require a massive amount of gear to start, and the pay is great.

“For any young shearers out there, I say just keep on going, practice every blow on every sheep, master that style, don’t be in a rush for the tallies, that will come.”

Brian Sullivan

Brian Sullivan training shearers at Paraway Pastoral’s ‘Steam Plains’ near Conargo, NSW, in September 2014.

Brian Sullivan’s enthusiasm for shearing began when he was a youngster and has continued throughout his career.

“My father was a shearer for many years, shearing up and down the eastern states. I also grew up in a town of 1,000 people that had more than 30 shearers living in it. This is where my enthusiasm for shearing came from,” Brian said.

“I used to go out with my father and my mates’ brothers every chance we could. I was lucky enough to do an improver school with Fred Jarvis, who was a Wool Corp instructor, from which I benefited a lot.”

Now himself a shearer trainer for AWI, Brian is dedicated to supporting the next generation in the industry at shearing schools and by providing in-shed training support. He is widely known for dropping in and assisting learners on the job.

“Shearer training provides learners with up to date techniques and improves all aspects of their day to day work,” Brian said.

“The appearance of a trainer in the shed and improved wool preparation also provides the woolgrower with a very tangible illustration of how their wool levies are being spent to improve shearing and wool handling going forward, for the woolgrower’s benefit.”

As well as working and training in the sheds, during his career Brian has enjoyed competition shearing at a high level. He has won eight State titles and 60 open shearing titles.

“It is a great honour to be inducted in the Australian Shearers’ Hall of Fame and to have my name and picture up alongside arguably some of the best in the business, and to be remembered for putting something back into the industry,” Brian said.

“In my opinion the shearing industry is suited to a wider variety of people than most think. I would highly recommend the industry to any young person wanting to travel.”

This article appeared in the December 2024 edition of AWI’s Beyond the Bale magazine. Reproduction of the article is encouraged.