Shear-a-thon gaining momentum

The third iteration of the ‘24hour Shear Madness’ event will raise money for mental health support next month.

From 9am on Friday, December 8 to 5pm the following day, six Victorian shearers will shear sheep, non-stop, to fundraise for LET’S TALK.

Roger Mifsud, with his sons Brody and Corey, of Stawell, Josh and Brandon Bone, of Nhill, and Phil Edwards, of south-west Victoria, make up the team.

The first ever Shear Madness ‘Sheara-thon’ was in 2018, when Roger and Corey shore 1542 sheep to raise awareness and money for muscular dystrophy.

A total of $45,000 was raised and shared between the Gillian Boys Foundation and Save Our Sons Duchenne Foundation.

In 2021, Brody joined the shearers to shear 2822 sheep and raise $78,252 for Merri River School in Warrnambool, Skene Street School in Stawell and programs for carers of children with special needs.

The fundraiser was in honour of Corey’s son Levi, who has autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

LET’S TALK advocates for the need to discuss mental health and break the stigma of seeking support.

Shear Madness committee member Brooke Siegle said the team, of about 50 people including shearers, roustabouts, truckies and other supports, was ‘pumped’ for the event.

“It’s gaining momentum and everyone is excited to get in there and get it done,” she said.

Ms Siegle said the choice to raise money for LET’S TALK was meaningful to the shearing team.

“The organisation does amazing things locally and we want to help break the stigma and spread the word about how and where people can get support,” she said.

“We are running a raffle and an online auction with great prizes that will reach people across the world.”

Ms Siegle said the event would look different this year due to sheep numbers and logistics.

“The shearers will work in three teams of two and shear in 12-hour stints across the 36 hours,” she said.

“From 4pm to 5pm on Saturday we will have an hour of power to finish off the event.”

Ms Siegle said people and businesses interested in sponsoring or supporting the event could contact the team via 24hrshearmadness@gmail. com and donations for the auction and raffle were still welcome.

She said donations to help support the 50-person team in terms of food would also be welcomed.

“We start with zero dollars, so anything, big or small, would be appreciated,” she said.

“All proceeds go to LET’S TALK, so the less we have to purchase the more money we can raise and the better that is.”