When Bairnsdale’s Nell Jubb heard the shearing stands were to be replaced at the Omeo Recreation Reserve, she knew she had just the thing to finish off the renovation. Two things, actually.
You see, 86-year-old Nell is rather gifted when it comes to creating tapestries.
And two of her finest pieces must surely be those she created around 30 years ago of Tom Roberts’ Shearing the Rams, painted in 1890, and The Golden Fleece (also known as Shearing at Newstead), which dates back to 1894.
So when she read local MP Darren Chester had announced the Omeo and District Agricultural and Pastoral Society would receive a Federal Government grant to install the new stands, a wool press and bins, Nell got on the phone to the Omeo and District Agricultural and Pastoral Society.
It wasn’t long before Nell (pictured right) met up with Maureen Webb (left) and Ronda Manhire, who are on the show committee, to present the two tapestries for display on the walls of the revamped shearing shed.
Two of the major drawcards of the Omeo Show, normally held in November, are the Great Alpine Shears Championships and the Quick Shears competition. With plans for the upgrade to be complete in time for the show, the tapestries may find a new and appreciative audience before the end of the year.
Nell says she and her family are glad the tapestries will find a final home among the sheep, shearers and residents of Omeo.
The money for Omeo is part of more than $630,000 allocated to Gippsland through the Federal Government’s Regional Agricultural Show Development Grant Program.
