General News
10 December, 2023
Shear Madness begins
SIX men, 24 long hours of shearing, thousands of sheep - Shear Madness at the Warrnambool Showgrounds is underway!
Once again Roger Mifsud and his sons Corey and Brody will face a gruelling 24 hours of shearing in the hope of increasing public awareness of mental health issues and to promote the Let’s Talk organisation.
This year the Mifsud’s will be joined on the stands by fellow shearers and friends Josh and Brandon Bone of Nhill and local, Phil Edwards.
Appropriately named ‘Shear Madness’ the event kicked off with a special ‘welcome to country’ early this morning (Friday) before shearing got underway at 9am.
While they hope the community will get behind them and donate to the Let’s Talk Foundation during the course of the event, for the team the shear-a-thon is more about increasing awareness of mental health issues and encouraging people to speak out and seek help.
Speaking with the Warrnambool Weekly earlier this week, Corey Mifsud said he was honoured the event is now in its third year and he thanked all those who continue to support it.
“While this is always a physical challenge for us, it’s also very much a mental challenge,” he said.
“Mental health is something that affects us all and sadly many of us have lost someone as a result. Even if we only raise a few dollars, if we can help save just one person that’s what it’s all about.”
Corey and the team will shear throughout the night and are looking forward to seeing a large crowd gather at the showgrounds to cheer them on, enjoy the music and the social atmosphere.
“There’ll be plenty of food and drink available to purchase and we’re hoping people will come along and have a great time,” he said.
“There’s no shortage of sheep to be shorn so we’ll certainly have our work cut out for us once again. Personally, my body probably isn’t quite ready for it but having been personally touched by mental health this is a cause very close to my heart.
“The Let’s Talk Foundation is such an important one.”
While the shears will be set down around 6pm tomorrow night, the action will continue long into the evening with an auction, live entertainment and celebrations.
And for those who can’t be at the showgrounds, the auction will be live on AuctionsPlus.
“After raising around $78,000 for Let’s Talk last year, our target is $100,00 this year,” Corey said.
“We probably won’t know the final tally for a couple of weeks. The money is certainly important in terms of ensuring the great work of the foundation continues so we’re calling on the community to get behind us all and give what you can.”
