So what do a wedding party, a world champion, a posse of duck shooters and a Republic president all have in common? They were all at the annual Whanga Shears held once again at Herlihy's woolshed.
Future shearers kicked off the day with the kids crutching, which is always hotly contested. The Hutchy boys took the honours in the two events.
Local lads found out that slow is best in the Novice and Junior sections when Shell (plus bump) and Spud took the top spots with their clean shearing.
Local Jim Bob won the coveted Wayne Donaldson Trophy for the intermediate section. Stokoe grabbed the senior title with world and Golden Shears champ Paul taking out the Open.
This year there was a teams event involving a bit of grunt needed to power the hand piece then a wee drink out of a gumboot to finish off . Groom Bruce and bride Bev provided the last leg in each team, encouraged heartly by the wedding guests, with the groom's team just getting the nod.