Australian Sheep and Wool Show
The Australian Sheep and Wool Show is no ordinary gathering of fleece and flair: this year’s event is gearing up as a grand celebration of milestone moments within the industry. Thousands of farmers, traders and members of the public will converge on the Prince of Wales Showgrounds in Bendigo from July 18 to 20 to highlight the best quality sheep genetics, discover the latest innovations and showcase the sector’s important contribution to everyday life.
Headlining the list of significant anniversaries, the Australian Sheep Breeders Association is marking the 25 the year its flagship event has been held in the Goldfields city. After humble beginnings in Melbourne in 1879, the show has become the biggest of its kind in the world and the move to Central Victoria in 1999 has played a big part in that evolution.
“It was starting to lose relevance in Melbourne,” said CEO Margot Falconer. “It had become harder for farmers to access, especially in terms of transporting and housing their sheep. “We were keen to keep expanding the event, so we looked for a regional centre that could accommodate us. “Since we’ve been in Bendigo, the show has grown enormously and it is recognised in Australia as the major show for sheep judging, with up to 3000 head representing around 30 breeds.
“Most of our trade sites are sold out and we’ve had strong interest again from breeders. All the regulars are coming – the Merinos, Polwarth, Corriedales and many more – and we have some of the newer exhibitors, like the Valais Blacknose.”
An invitation-only lunch on the Friday will mark Bendigo’s 25th show, which took two extra years to achieve due to COVID cancellations. Around 60 VIP guests will hear speakers from Meat and Livestock Australia and Sheep Producers Australia address the theme Shaping the Future. Also blowing out birthday candles this year is the Australian Stud Sheep Breeders Association, which is celebrating its centenary. The group started as a British breed flock book but now extends to 25 breeds, including non-UK types like Aussiedowns, Charollais, Drysdales and Persians.
ASSBA exhibitors will receive commemorative medals to honour a century dedicated to excellence and innovation. Centenary ribbons will be awarded to champion and reserve champion rams and ewes in ordinary classes, with special ribbons for the supreme ram and ewe and a centenary rug for the overall supreme ASSBA exhibit.
White Suffolks are the show’s 2025 feature breed, a fitting honour given it is the 40th anniversary of the Australian White Suffolk Association. Developed for Australian conditions, the breed provides high-yielding carcasses and superior-quality meat in a wide range of environments.
Black and coloured sheep are also in the spotlight, with their Victorian association celebrating its golden jubilee.
Wendy Dennis, who first recognised the potential of black and coloured fleeces in the mid-1970s, will share her story at the Women of Wool luncheon during the ASWS. She will be joined by fellow wool producer Rosemary Michael and Justine Minne from Bendigo Bank Agribusiness as guest speakers at the sold-out event championing the contribution of females in farming.
Among new initiatives, a giant screen will bring all the shearing shed action out onto the oval during the Northern Shears competition and Sports Shear Victoria state titles. A mental health seminar and breast cancer fundraiser are also on the shearing and wool handling agenda.
Another crowd favourite on the main arena is the Central Victorian Yard Dog Championships, featuring skilled handlers and their clever canine partners.
The ASWS is also home to the world’s biggest fully measured fleece competition, with judging in all major wool types. The Australian Fleece Competition attracts more than 400 entries from almost 150 exhibitors, offering prizes worth $18,000 and the title of Grand Champion Fleece.
Many fleeces are auctioned for charity and this year’s beneficiary is Rural Aid – which helps rural communities through natural disasters and is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Over $240,000 has been raised cumulatively in past years.
Australia’s largest fibre market at the show includes 200 retail sites, while the Arts and Craft Pavilion displays the talents of passionate creatives in 70 Woolcraft categories. The theme for this year’s competition is Where the Road Leads Us. Nearby, in the Country Living and Lifestyle marquee, the Bendigo Festival of Lamb offers culinary demonstrations and exhibits from local producers as well as various homeware stalls.
And the Careers and Technology Hub features displays of ag-ed courses and technological advancements, as well as the Young Voices from the Land forum featuring 10 future leaders. Other highlights include live merino and dorper ram sales; twice-daily fashion parades in the Noble Pavilion (Friday, 11am, 3pm; Saturday/Sunday, 11am, 2pm); and social events like the Stud Masters’ Muster (where the 2025 Young Champion Award will be presented) and the Sponsors and Breeders Cocktail Party.
Tickets to the ASWS are available at www.sheepshow.com, starting at $26 for adults and $17 for students and concessions, with discounts for three-day passes. Children 15 and under are free.
