Fourth generation sheep and wool farmer Trevor Toole knows a thing or two about what goes into making a great fleece and he is among the judges who will assess the 150 wool entries for the 150^th show.

Far from being fleeced by the challenge ahead, Mr Toole said it was a role and responsibility that he loved.

“I love the wool game and I’ve been really interested in breeding sheep and judging,” he said.

Mr Toole grew up on a sheep and wool farm at Peel and said the industry runs through his veins.

“I’ve been judging at shows in Oberon, Rydal, Rylstone, Sofala, Lithgow and the highlight is Bathurst,” he said.

“It’s a highlight doing the 150^th [Bathurst] Show, especially since I was a very successful exhibitor at the 100^th show with my father [Jack] and brothers [Tony and Matt].”

Mr Toole said he was very impressed with the wool entries he had judged so far.

“I do a lot of sheep classing and wool classing throughout the Central West and Bathurst wool is excellent,” he said.

“I think the district and the surrounding district is very good.

“I love wool judging and it’s a real challenge seeing all the fleeces and how they improve their flock year-on-year.”

Mr Toole said the show had remained a success over the years due to its foundation in agriculture.

“It was very much an agricultural show for many years and that brings a lot of people in from across the region,” he said.

“It’s got very strong sheep, wool, cattle and sheep dog classes.”

HEN it comes to judging cakes at the Reliance Bank Royal Bathurst Show, Leona Irvine is at the top of her game.

Long-time Country Women’s Association member, Mrs Irvine said there was a lot more to judging than just taking a bite.

“The orange cake says in the schedule ‘orange cake iced on top only’,” she said.

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