1882  Jack Grey is the first person to completely machine shear a sheep at Euroka station.

1886-87  Wolseley machine shearing is demonstrated around the country to the delight of woolgrowers and the horror of blade shearers.

1886-87  A Shearer's union is formed in Ballarat by W.G. Spence.  This is the foundation of the Amalgamated Workers Union.

1887  Wolseley installs six machine stands at Normanby station, Queensland.  Machine shearing is demonstrated at Toganmain station near Hay, New South Wales.

1888  Dunlop station, at Louth in New South Wales, is the first large 'machine shed' with 40 Wolseley stands, Toganmain at Hay has fifteen machine stands among the blade shearers.

1891  A six-month strike by shearers centred around Barcaldine in Queensland cripples that state, New South Wales and Victoria.