Despite its small size, entries in the fleece competition in Guyra outnumber even those at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

Chief Wool Steward David Cameron, whose family have been entering fleeces for 75 years, said the committee believe they have the biggest local fleece show in Australia and quite possibly the world.

“We have again set a new record, with 284 entries from 314 fleeces, and almost all of these are Merino,” he said. “We’ve had to stop using the display boxes for the section-winning fleeces as there is no longer enough room for them. It’s probably time to build another display stand.” 

“We think that only the National Fleece Competition, held in Bendigo, would have more fleeces, but it is drawing entries from across Australia. Guyra draws most of its entries from the local district.”

Long-time wool committee member Geoff Burey said that Guyra has a reputation with wool buyers for bright, white, fine and superfine wool. The Burey family have been producing wool east of Guyra for four generations.

“The quality of wool presented at the show is testament to that reputation and the dedication local woolgrowers have to producing a world-class product,” he said. “The drought in this last year or two is about the worst that most locals have seen, even so the fleeces look magnificent.”

Mr Cameron believes the show owes its success to its volunteers. The wool committee spends a full day recording entries, weighing fleeces and taking samples and another long day is spent judging. On top of that is the set-up and pack-up time.

“We are indebted to local businesses and individuals who provide many generous prizes, and of course the regional wool brokers contribute a judge each year,” Mr Cameron said.

They hope to make the 2016 show an even bigger success and are encouraging more locals to pick out a fleece or two next shearing and enter the competition.