The Allora Men’s Shed has done a magnificent job of giving new life to this old wool classing table.
During the past month Graham Hickson has been the main man to work on this unusual project.
Skilful work of Allora Men’s Shed
When the original wool classing table arrived at the Allora Men’s Shed it had quite a build-up of lanolin and dirt along with wear from years of use.
The Men’s Shed completely pulled apart the table and scraped back to remove all the lanolin and dirt.
The main frame was built with cypress pine which was all cleaned back. The slats on the table were hardwood, D shaped slats that are spaced to allow the “second cuts”, dirt and vegetable matter to fall through while classing the wool.
The rebuild required shortening the legs, filling the checkouts not required and changing the bracing to allow the old classing table to be a stylish talking piece on the patio.
The table has now been varnished and will receive a glassed top sheet when it arrives at its new home in Warwick.
Looking back at the history of this particular wool classing table/strong>
The lady who owns this table grew up on a sheep farm in North West New South Wales near Collarenebri. She learnt how to rouseabout, throw a fleece and would always be helping in the yards with sheep work. So sheep, wool and shearing were a big part of her childhood.
The table was found in Wee Waa and she had her mother from near Collarenebri collect it and bring it to Warwick. It was transported on the back of a Land Cruiser Ute.
It took six men to unload it! It then spent the best part of two years taking up room in her husband’s shed – which she was reminded about on regular occasions!
She is incredibly grateful that friends of suggested a men’s shed- she googled Allora Men’s Shed, as her husband’s family is from Allora and wanting to keep connections which are important to her.
This article appeared in the Allora Advertiser, 15 April 2026.
