Darkan Sheepfest

29/07/2026

🔔 TONIGHT 🔔
A reminder that the 2026 Darkan Sheepfest AGM is on TONIGHT at the CRC 6.30pm. Come along and get involved with a great community event!
🐑All are welcome! 🐑

🐑 2026 Darkan Sheepfest AGM 🐑

The 2026 Darkan Sheepfest AGM will be held on Wednesday 29th July, at 6:30pm at the West Arthur CRC.

Everyone is welcome to attend. If you're interested in joining the Sheepfest committee or want to help out with future shows, we encourage you to come along.

See ewe there!

14/07/2026

🐑 2026 Darkan Sheepfest AGM 🐑

The 2026 Darkan Sheepfest AGM will be held on Wednesday 29th July, at 6:30pm at the West Arthur CRC.

Everyone is welcome to attend. If you're interested in joining the Sheepfest committee or want to help out with future shows, we encourage you to come along.

See ewe there!

07/04/2026

👕 Celebrating Wool, Community and Local Spirit at the 2026 Darkan Sheepfest by Jodie King 👗

The 2026 Darkan Sheepfest Wool and Natural Fibre Fashion Parade was a wonderful celebration of both the rich history and exciting future of the Australian Merino wool industry, brought to life by an incredible community effort.

Set against the backdrop of the iconic Australian Eleven photograph from Wanganella Station (1935), the parade paid tribute to the origins of the Peppin Merino — a bloodline that helped shape wool production across Australia. This connection between past and present was felt throughout the event, as modern garments showcased just how far wool has come.

Today’s Merino wool is softer, more versatile and more wearable than ever, and the parade highlighted its place in contemporary fashion. From everyday staples to beautifully designed
statement pieces, the collection demonstrated that wool is not only natural, renewable and biodegradable, but also stylish and practical for modern living.

This year’s parade featured a diverse range of garments from valued supporters including Williams Woolshed, The Merino Polo, Australian Wool Innovation, and Homestead Road — each bringing their own story, passion and commitment to promoting Australian wool. Their ongoing support plays a vital role in helping educate the wider community about the benefits of natural fibres.

A special thank you must go to our local models, who volunteered their time and energy to showcase the garments with confidence and pride. This year’s parade truly captured the heart of our community, with participants spanning generations — from young children and teenagers through to Mike and Mary Dew, husband and wife in their 90s who share a lifelong love of agriculture.

Watching them take to the stage together alongside the younger generations was a truly special moment, and a powerful reflection of the connection, inclusiveness and shared spirit that our community and Sheepfest represents.

Darkan Sheepfest continues to be a platform for celebrating agriculture, sustainability and regional talent. The Wool and Natural Fibre Fashion Parade is a proud reflection of that — connecting people to the story of wool, from sheep’s back to finished garment.

Thank you to everyone who attended, supported and contributed to making the 2026 parade such a success. 🐑🐑

📸Photos Credit to Caro Telfer

Themerinopolo
Australian Wool Innovation
Homestead Road
Williams Woolshed

26/03/2026

🌟 Darkan Sheepfest 2026 – New Location Approved! 🌟

What a fantastic day at Darkan Sheepfest 2026, with more than 1,000 people turning out to enjoy our new park location right in the heart of town!

There was a great buzz around the grounds as people meandered through the classic cars and motor bikes and then along the pathways through an array of stalls to the Junior Judging events and then sat for a while to watch the shearing and wool handling competition heats

🐑Shearing & Wool Handling Winners (74 entries!):
Open Wool: Janelle Hauti
Senior Wool: Abby Boyle
Novice Wool: Branon Goodridge
Open Shearing: Damian Boyle
Senior Shearing: Tawhaarangi Taylor
Intermediate Shearing: Rico Roberts
Novice Shearing: Keiran Turvey-Lee

🌾 Junior Judging Winners:
Grains: Grace Chambers
Meat Breeds: Tim Lawrence
Wool & Merino: Darcy King
A special mention to Darcy King, who was awarded the inaugural Zara Horley Memorial Shield for Merino Junior Judging.

👗 The fashion parade was a crowd favourite with two packed shows, and the Homemaker display, a nice new surprise for Sheepfest attendees. The display included very cute farm themed decorated cupcakes made by local children, f lower arrangements, garden produce baskets, and some very good photography. 📸

There were some very tired children who spent all day going up and down on the water slide, and some very tired adults the day after Sheepfest after a big night at the Darkan Hotel for the Sheepfest After Party.

🙏 A huge thank you to our dedicated committee, volunteers, and generous sponsors who made it all possible including our Supreme and Grand Sponsors: Vestas Development, Elders, Leshgo Shearing, Topnotch Contracting, Byfields Business Advisers, Darkan Agri Services, Farm Weekly, AWI, Green Wind Renewables, Lacour Energy, Acciona Energia, Community Bank Collie & Districts, the Shire of West Arthur, the West Arthur Community Resource Centre and DPIRD

We can’t wait to see ewe again next Sheepfest! 🎉🐑

Photos from Caro Telfer & Karyn Buller

19/03/2026

19/03/2026

🐑 How was your Sheepfest? We want to know! 🐑

That’s a wrap on Darkan Sheepfest 2026! Photos and write-ups coming soon!📸

Thank you to everyone who attended, volunteered, had a stall or food truck, entered the competitions, sponsored and/or otherwise supported it.

To make the next Sheepfest even better, we need your honest thoughts.

Whether you loved the market stalls or shearing, have ideas for the Homemakers competition, or just want to tell us about your favourite food truck, we want to know!

Follow the link below to fill out our quick anonymous feedback form: 🔗 https://form.jotform.com/260751780552055

Please have your feedback submitted by Wednesday March 25th 12pm. Thanks :)

16/03/2026

** Thank you to the Darkan Sheepfest Committee **

On behalf of the Shire of West Arthur, I would like to congratulate the Darkan Sheepfest Committee on the successful return of Darkan’s much loved country show.

The professionalism of the committee was evident through the well organised and engaging program of events held throughout the day. Darkan and the wider shire were proudly showcased, providing locals and visitors alike with an enjoyable and welcoming experience.

The new central town location created valuable opportunities for local businesses to be involved, further reflecting the strong sense of community spirit that underpins Sheepfest.

Well done to all volunteers, stallholders, businesses, sponsors and members of the Sheepfest Committee on delivering a highly successful 2026 Darkan Sheepfest.

Cr Karen Harrington
President
Shire of West Arthur

14/03/2026

Steelos hanging at today and its an awsome day for a pop up stall down there!

Dont stress Heidi and the team are in the shop til 5 and are happy to sort u out🫡