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Gun shearer eyes record Merino run

Shannon SmithAlbany Advertiser
Lou Brown, right, with fellow shearer Ethan Harder.
Camera IconLou Brown, right, with fellow shearer Ethan Harder. Credit: Supplied

The Great Southern will host an attempt to break the world record for the number of Merino ewes shorn by one person as Lou Brown takes out the shears in Kojonup on Saturday.

The Bunbury shearer will have to shear over 466 ewes within eight hours to beat the previous record which was set in 2003.

The challenge will take place on James and Nina Hope’s farm with as many as 2000 people expected to watch.

Mr Brown said he started learning the skill on his family farm in Pingrup when he was a teenager, before going on to be an award-winning sheerer.

“I have put myself through an intensive training program, with a personal trainer flown in from England who specialises in training shearers, to prepare physically and mentally for my first world record attempt,” he said.

“I am really excited at the chance to be a world record holder in an industry I have dedicated my life to.

“As a bonus, the people who will be cheering me on will also be helping Nulsen Group which supports people with complex disabilities.”

The eight-hour stint will be split into two-hour runs.

Mr Brown will have to shear almost one ewe every minute to break the record.

Official world record judges are travelling from overseas to verify the attempt.

The Hope sons, Harry and George, and other Hale School students will be helping in the fundraising efforts during the event.

Nulsen Group chief executive Gordon Trewern said the Hope boys came up with a clever idea to raise money for people with disabilities.

“Harry and George are both Hale boys and are part of the Nulsen Youth Patron Program. It was their idea to capitalise on the crowd at their family’s farm who will be cheering Louis on and sell them coffee and beverages which will raise money for Nulsen Group,” he said.

The world record attempt will take place from 7am to 5pm.

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