For Brittnee Bazeley, a career in beauty therapy was the intended path. However, fate, and a trip to New Zealand in her teenage years, steered her towards a completely different, and far more rugged, profession. For the past 15 years, Bazeley has become an integral part of the sheep-shearing industry in regional New South Wales, rising through the ranks to become a skilled wool classer and a key figure at a station near Wagga Wagga.
Her unexpected journey into the male-dominated world of shearing began when, at 17, her mother sent her to New Zealand to reconnect with her father. As it happened, he was a shearer, and Bazeley found herself drawn into the demanding rhythm of the shearing shed. “I just started out as a learner,” Bazeley recalls. “I stuck to his hip and watched him for a couple of days, and just went on from there.”
While the initial adjustment to life in the shearing shed involved a steep learning curve, Bazeley persevered. “When I first started in the shearing, I actually used to get up and do my hair and makeup, and I’d look like a raccoon by lunchtime, so that didn’t last very long,” she admits with a laugh. Today, she stands as a testament to the growing presence of women in an industry historically dominated by men.
Breaking Barriers in the Wool Industry
The 2021 Census data paints a clear picture of the industry’s gender imbalance, with women representing less than 5% of the workforce. However, there are anecdotal reports of a surge in female participation since the COVID-19 lockdowns. The closure of international borders, which limited the influx of overseas shearers, created opportunities for local women to step into these roles.
One such woman is Nikki Lyons, a shearer from New South Wales who has achieved remarkable feats. Last October, she set a world record for the most merino lambs shorn by a female in a nine-hour period, successfully shearing 502 lambs near Marnoo in Victoria’s Wimmera region. This impressive accomplishment is a far cry from her humble beginnings, shearing her first sheep with her mum’s dressmaking scissors.
Lyons’ passion for the shearing lifestyle stems from her time at agriculture school. “I like being physical,” she explains. “An office job was never for me. Before settling down and having kids, I loved the travel that shearing offered. It’s a job that can take you all around the world.” The inherent challenge and the constant opportunity for self-improvement are key motivators for Lyons. She also sees herself as a role model for her children, hoping to inspire them to pursue their own dreams. “My greatest wish is for my children to chase their dreams. They were a part of this journey with me, they heard the medicine ball slams at 4:30am, they saw me come home from work tired and sore, only to get back up the next day and do it all again,” she shares. Lyons views shearing not just as a job, but as both a sport and an art form, believing there’s always room for growth, regardless of experience.
The Unsung Heroes Behind the Scenes
While women like Lyons are breaking records on the shearing floor, many others play crucial roles behind the scenes, ensuring the smooth operation of shearing stations. Brittnee Bazeley’s expertise as a wool classer is vital. This role involves meticulously sorting and grading fleeces based on their quality, a process that directly impacts the sale value of the wool. She has also worked as a rouseabout, responsible for maintaining a clean shed, assisting shearers, and keeping the workflow on schedule.
But for any hungry shearer, the importance of the cook cannot be overstated. Jaz Taunoa, who works alongside Bazeley, is the culinary backbone of the operation, ensuring everyone is well-fed and energised. “They get five meals a day,” Taunoa explains. “I’m up at 4:30 every morning. It’s breakfast, smoko, lunch, afternoon smoko, dinner and dessert. It’s stressful. The shopping, oh my gosh, the shopping.”
A Home Away From Home and Lucrative Rewards
Despite the fast-paced and demanding nature of her job, Taunoa finds a sense of home in the shearing shed kitchen. Originally from Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, she worked alongside her mother in a similar capacity before moving to Australia about 20 years ago. After an initial stint as a rouseabout, she found her calling in cooking. “And it’s better money because I’ve got three young kids,” she adds.
The lucrative nature of the industry is a significant drawcard, a point Bazeley readily agrees with. “You’re able to travel, you make amazing money. You meet some really good people. This job takes you places a lot of jobs can’t,” she says.
Beyond the financial incentives and travel opportunities, the shearing industry has also provided Bazeley with a deeper connection to her Māori heritage. “Before, I knew a little bit about New Zealand. I didn’t know anything about the culture. I didn’t know what it meant to be Māori,” she reflects. “But in this industry, everybody and anybody is from New Zealand somehow, and knows somebody in New Zealand.” The inclusive environment has allowed her to build a life and a family around this unique lifestyle, with her son, Tama, having been welcomed into the sheds since he was a baby.
