The announcing side of things began some time later at the Pahiatua Shears, where Mr Cooper was spotted by Golden Shears judges and snapped up.
"I ended up on the announcing desk ... calling out competitors and announcing the heats."
From there, it was a "natural progression" to the top microphone.
The real thrill, however, is in being able to announce the winners, Mr Cooper said.
"You've got competitors and spectators in the audience waiting with baited breath to hear who has won; I've thought it a real privilege to be able to tell people that."
Mr Cooper's "most enduring memory" has been repeatedly "announcing that David Fagan had won yet again".
"We pretty much have trod the whole Golden Shears journey together.
"He has won 17 titles and I might have announced 14 of them."
The announcer has "built up a special rapport with a lot of those boys over the years".
Mr Cooper's golden voice is not limited to the shears, either, as he has lent it to dozens of community events over the years.
"Relay for life, fundraising dinners, we've got the balloon fiesta coming up ...
"This time of year, there are not many weekends I haven't got something on."
The motivation is simple, and generous.
"If I can go along and help someone's day or night go better because of my experience, it's worthwhile.
"All of that has come about because of Golden Shears."
Being a good announcer is about having fun, Mr Cooper says.
"You've got to enjoy it, and have the courage to get up in front of people ...
"I don't get nervous, and I think that is a big thing ... I understand not everyone can stand up in front of lots of people, but I can't shear 20 sheep in just over 16 minutes.
"People have said that my voice is very clear, but if you enjoy it, that's going to make it."
One of Mr Cooper's most dramatic moments came one year when the Topp Twins made an appearance at the Golden Shears, and he quickly ducked backstage to tell them they were on.
Unfortunately, someone had braced the stage to the back wall with boards of four-by-two at "about head height".
Mr Cooper ducked under the on-ramp for the sheep and straightened up straight into the piece of wood and "basically laid myself out".
One of the Topp Twins came to the rescue with some expertly applied makeup and Mr Cooper was able to get back onstage.
The injury "seemed to know" to behave itself until after the Saturday night final, when Mr Cooper met up with friends who "thought I'd been mugged" with the massive bruise above his eye.
"It's a classic example of 'the show must go on'."
Mr Cooper thinks the time has come to step down because a strong successor has been waiting in the wings.
"With Kieran McAnulty we've got a young guy that's been really enthusiastic."
McAnulty has been a bookmaker for TAB sports betting and has radio experience, "You always have to be thinking about that succession plan."
Mr McAnulty "did a lot of the presentations during the day" for this year's Golden Shears, and "as of next year he'll take over the lot.
The experienced microphone man will not be far from the action, however.
"I'll just be in the background helping if and when needed."
