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Indigenous shear camp for Wellstead

Great Southern Herald
KANGAROO ISLAND, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 25: 'Curly' the shearer is seen handling a sheep at Meadowlea Sheep Station on February 25, 2020 in Kangaroo Island, Australia. Over a third of Kangaroo Island, including much of the Flinders Chase National Park, was burnt during the recent bushfires that started on 4 January. Two people lost their lives, while tens of thousands of native animals and farming livestock were also killed. The Wildlife, Ecosystems and Habitat Bushfire Recovery Taskforce estimates as many as 90 percent of Kangaroo Island's famous koala population perished in the recent bushfires, with only 5,000 to 10,000 koalas remaining in the area from an original population of about 60,000. Kangaroo Island's economy is reliant on agriculture and tourism worth an estimated 180 million dollars and focus is now turning to reviving the industries post the bushfires. The South Australian Tourism Commission launched the #BookThemOut campaign to encourage tourists to visit the bushfire affected areas in the Adelaide Hills and Kangaroo Island, with the recent Kangaroo Cup Racing Carnival reaching record attendance this past weekend. However, with the Island known to be a popular tourism destination for Chinese tourists the local industry is now also being heavily affected by coronavirus.The Federal Government has announced a royal commission into this summer's devastating bushfires across Australia, with a specific focus on preparedness for future bushfire seasons. Former Australian Defence Force (ADF) chief Mark Binskin, former Federal Court judge Annabelle Bennett and leading environmental lawyer Andrew Macintosh are due to deliver their findings by the end of August. (Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)
Camera IconKANGAROO ISLAND, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 25: 'Curly' the shearer is seen handling a sheep at Meadowlea Sheep Station on February 25, 2020 in Kangaroo Island, Australia. Over a third of Kangaroo Island, including much of the Flinders Chase National Park, was burnt during the recent bushfires that started on 4 January. Two people lost their lives, while tens of thousands of native animals and farming livestock were also killed. The Wildlife, Ecosystems and Habitat Bushfire Recovery Taskforce estimates as many as 90 percent of Kangaroo Island's famous koala population perished in the recent bushfires, with only 5,000 to 10,000 koalas remaining in the area from an original population of about 60,000. Kangaroo Island's economy is reliant on agriculture and tourism worth an estimated 180 million dollars and focus is now turning to reviving the industries post the bushfires. The South Australian Tourism Commission launched the #BookThemOut campaign to encourage tourists to visit the bushfire affected areas in the Adelaide Hills and Kangaroo Island, with the recent Kangaroo Cup Racing Carnival reaching record attendance this past weekend. However, with the Island known to be a popular tourism destination for Chinese tourists the local industry is now also being heavily affected by coronavirus.The Federal Government has announced a royal commission into this summer's devastating bushfires across Australia, with a specific focus on preparedness for future bushfire seasons. Former Australian Defence Force (ADF) chief Mark Binskin, former Federal Court judge Annabelle Bennett and leading environmental lawyer Andrew Macintosh are due to deliver their findings by the end of August. (Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images) Credit: Getty Images

Up to 10 aspiring indigenous shearers will be brought to Wellstead to learn the trade in a State Government initiative.

Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan made the announcement on Monday after the success of a pilot program in the Mid West last month.

The aspiring shearers from the Great Southern will participate in a shearing and wool-handling camp at a Wellstead farm starting on April 20.

The camp will be run by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development with Australian Wool Innovation, the WA Shearing Industry Association and local businesses.

Accredited AWI trainers Kevin Gellatly, Amanda Davis and Todd Wegner will work with local shearing contractor Mick Thomas and indigenous mentor Barry Ugle to deliver the program.

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“It will make another strong contribution to realising the McGowan Government’s vision of permanent Aboriginal-focused shearing training hubs in regional WA,” Ms MacTiernan said.

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