Shear Outback was officially opened on Australia Day, Saturday 26th January, 2002.

The official opening was carried out by Kay Hull, the Federal Member for Riverina.

There were an estimated 3,000 people in attendance for the opening ceremony.

An easy-to-read transcript of this article appears below the picture.

Transcript

Captions

DEPUTY PRIME Minister Tim Fischer came to Hay in the Spring of 1998 to announce the Federation Fund grant to Shear Outback of $4.663 million. Mr Fischer accepted the invitation to become patron of Shear Outback, and returned to the sit shortly before his retirement from federal politics to inspect the building progress. He is pictured in the Museum with directors Rod McCully and Bill Booth and major building contractor Ken McDonnell of Deniliquin.

THE LOCATION of the NSW Office of the Year of The Outback in Hay in 2000 started a partnership with Shear Outback in sharing office space. NSW Minister for Tourism, Ms Sandra Nori officially

opened he office and was presented with a significant memento of her visit by Shear Outback chairman Rod McCully. Hay identity Ernie Donohoe fashioned and polished the redgum plate, adorned with hand shears and a shearing comb and cutter.

ONE OF the great success stories of Shear Outback has been the volunteers’ efforts to raise the daily cash needed to run the administration. The second-hand book shop and the Opportunity shop were established in 1998 and 1999 and have been a boon to the operation. Pictured at the opening of the Op Shop are volunteers and organisers Linda Wright and Enid Black (front) with committee members Roly Desailly, Ken Munn (Chairman) Rex Mooney and Rod McCully.

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Extracts reproduced with permission from The Riverine Grazier