Wimbledon sheep farmer Brian Hales nominated for Person of the Year

Weathering the storm: It was wet and muddy but Wimbledon farmer Brian Hales was still smiling at Sunday's open day. Wimbledon farmer Brian Hales has an open day on his farm. 27 September 2015 Hawke's

Wimbledon sheep farmer and all round good bloke Brian Hales said he was "stunned" to be nominated as a candidate for Person of the Year.

Mr Hales was nominated by Raymond Olsen from Dannevirke, who had no prior dealings with Mr Hales, save from what he had heard from other people and a television programme showing some of Mr Hales' voluntary work.

Mr Olsen said Mr Hales deserved a nomination and also greater exposure for some of his work.

"He's well know about southern Hawke's Bay.

"Mr Hales appeared on Country Calendar TV1 and the programme showed Mr Hale's wonderful talents in alternative sheep breeding and his involvement with the Weber School and the use of his talents in educating the pupils. His tenacity with what he was shown to do with the children was wonderful to see.

"He does a wonderful job out at Weber School and he also has tourists going to his place out there, and he's got all these exotic sheep on his farm. He also has a programme on Country Calendar about three weeks ago and it was a wonderful programme.

"He's also found a rare bug of some sort, that was through the Weber School where he was teaching the kids about nature. His discovery of a rare and new species of a snail deserves international exposure."

About 12 years ago students from Weber School discovered the walking worm, the peripatus, on Mr Hale's farm. The peripatus is a 500-million-year-old carnivorous species often called a "living fossil" and seen as the "missing link" between worms and legged arthropods.

Mr Olsen added that Mr Hales also conducted shearing demonstrations at farm open days, which had proven to be popular with tourists.

Mr Hales also breeds Jacob sheep, an ancient breed originally taken to Scotland by the Vikings. The breed can have two, four or even six horns and are clearly identified by their spots.

Mr Hales was taken aback at the nomination.

"I am absolutely stunned to be nominated," he said.

"I do not know who Raymond Olsen is, but maybe he has been to one of my shearing days or has seen the recent repeat screening of my Country Calendar programme

"I am so proud to be nominated which is a reflection of the community admiration given to me for the work I enjoy doing."