An emotion-charged Golden Shears wrapped up on Saturday night not only with a new shears champion, but with a gesture that had people in the crowd wiping tears from their eyes.
Two-metre high Rowland Smith proved himself a big man not just for his height but for his heart by handing his $3000 winning cheque over to the Cancer Society - a decision prompted by the appearance at the shears of champion woolhandler Joanne Kumeroa and because Smith had lost his mother Cristal to cancer six years ago.
Smith won a special place in shears history when he stepped up to get his prize.
"Winning the Golden Shears is not about money. This is going to the Cancer Society," he said.
As applause broke out throughout the stadium Kumeroa made her way to the stage and embraced Smith.
