In the Upper Hunter district European settlement began in the 1820s and the area quickly became known for its grazing and sheep stations. Sheep were then shorn with blade shears.

Sheep shearing is probably the most iconic activity in rural Australia. By the end of the 19th century, Australia's burgeoning sheep flock was in urgent need of a more effective shearing method.

The mechanical handpiece invented by Fred Wolseley is a vast legacy now present in woolsheds around the world. The machines he helped build boosted Australia's wealth by making shearing faster and more efficient than traditional blades.

What and Where

• Hand powered shearing demonstrations on Friday and Saturday