SHEARERS and shedhands from across the NSW Western Plains converged on the H.E. Kater property “Eenaweena” between Nyngan and Warren on Saturday 17 December 2022 to participate in a unique fundraiser for one of their own, recently diagnosed with cancer.

Veteran shearer Tommy Darcy, 46, was informed he had lymphoma cancer three weeks ago and is already undergoing chemotherapy and other treatment.

His friends Emma Billet and Rhianna Gibson approached H.E. Kater general manager Cam Munro with the fundraising idea and within days the event was organised.

Mr Munro said the general shearing was underway at “Eenaweena”, and the contractor agreed to step aside and let the fundraising group take over the shed for a day, shear as many sheep as they could and donate their fees to the cause.

In total, 37 shearers and 43 shed hands from Nyngan, Warren, Trangie and Narromine rotated around nine stands for five hours to shear a total 1251 sheep, well exceeding expectations.

“We were aiming to shear 1000 sheep so we went well beyond that which was fantastic,” said Emma.

“There is a lot of respect for Uncle Tom and the Darcy family and that has shown today by the number of people who have shown up to help.”

Rhianna Gibson, Emma Billett and Tara Walker helped co-ordinate the fundraiser for Tommy Darcy.

The Warren-based Darcy family is well known in local hearing circles and three generations were on the boards on Saturday. 

Dad Billy – in his 80’s – was on the wool table, and siblings Glen, William, Mark and Raylene were divided between the shears and the floor. 

Tom’s nephews Blaine and Patrick Darcy and Aaron Willis were also in on the action.

Raylene, Patrick and little Atticus Darcy 

Tommy Darcy started shearing at 16 as part of Peter “Shag” Wilson’s team. Cam Munro calculated he had shorn close to 210,000 sheep for the H.E. Kater company over the past 30 years.

“Tommy’s been shearing for a very long time but he’s still only 46 and that’s very young to get cancer,” Mr Munro said.

“This event has brought together the local wool community. We all know how important shearers are, and there wouldn’t be many woolgrowers in this area who haven’t had someone from the Darcy family working in their shed.”

Shannon Johnson and Bryan Dunn

The day included a BBQ lunch and members of the public were able to come along and support the effort.

BELOW: Joe Waterhouse

BELOW: Luke Cook with Troy and Sharon Cuthbert