Golden Shears – World Famous in New Zealand
It was the year 1958. A group of enthusiasts from the Wairarapa district Young Farmer’s Club, mooted the idea of organising a shearing competition in the Wairarapa. The venue was to be held at the annual Agricultural and Pastoral show. With advertising and special invitations, the stage was set for a new sporting spectacle that would impact on Masterton in future years beyond all comprehension.
Shearers came from all parts of the North and South Island to compete and show their talent and skills.
The competition was a huge success and organisers, Laurie Keats, Iain Douglas and Graham Buckley realised this new sporting spectacle was an untapped reservoir of unlimited bounds and talents.
The group approached Federated Farmers then Chairman, Mr Roy O’Hara, and President, Mr Bob Chamberlain, to ask if under the umbrella of Wairarapa Federated Farmers, an Annual Shearing Competition could be staged and more appropriate premises be found, such as the War Memorial Stadium in Masterton.
Golden Shears was the agreed title and from this point in 1960, the world’s greatest shearing competition was conceived.
The inaugural Golden Shears of 1961 surpassed all expectations with crowds so great, the local Army was called upon to control crowds around the stadium.
Through the 1960’s and 70’s, before the impact of live sport on TV, the fascination and excitement of Golden Shears became a household name with seats booked twelve months in advance.
The competition between shearers was fierce and uncompromising. Many of our great champions –