Darkan Sheepfest

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🫡

14/03/2026

Today is Sheep Fest!!! We have your evening sorted with live music and cheese platters after a big day of checking out all there is to see at Darkan Sheepfest. Maybe pack your jacket for later!

14/03/2026

Heading to Sheepfest this year?
just a reminder that we're in a NEW location!
We're at the Darkan Railway Reserve, a.k.a. the centre of town!

https://maps.app.goo.gl/ivm69gnnZvN5NipV8?g_st=ac

14/03/2026

👖Wool & Natural Fibre Fashion Parade 👕

We have a wonderful display of fashion happening at todays Darkan Shepfest!
📍 Where: West Arthur Community Resource Centre
⏰ When: 11:30am & 1:30pm sessions

A massive thank you to our incredible stockists for making this showcase possible through their textiles:
- Williams Woolshed
- The Merino Polo
- The Woolmark Company (AWI)
- Homestead Road

10/02/2025

2025 Darkan Sheepfest Shearing and Wool handling Competition 🐑🐑🐑

Under the shade of an old salmon gum was the perfect place to be to watch the Darkan Sheepfest Shearing and Wool handling Competition.
There may not have been the usual Sheepfest program but that did not stop shearers and wool handlers travelling from around the state to compete.
The standard was high with many competitors needing to take home a win or a place to make this year’s National Sport Shear Competition to be held in Jamestown SA, in October.
A big thank you must go out to all who registered, placed and took home the win!
Days like these are not possible without the support of volunteers.
A big Sheepfest thank you must go to the following people, West Australian Competition Shearing Association, Judges, Australian Wool Innovation for continued grower funded sponsorship of the Novice divisions and hands on in-shed training, Lee Gray for classing and Daffy for pressing, the Goss family for the sheep, the wool quality and presentation was commented on throughout the day, Gavin Kirk - Kirk’s Transport, Arthur Brown - RW Engineering, local Buller, Horley, Kirk, Goss and King family members for pushing up and penning sheep throughout the day, Collie pony club for the outstanding spread of food in the canteen, organised by Robyn Quill, the Shire of West Arthur and volunteers who set up and made sure the grounds were looking their finest, Michael Hulse for assisting with getting heavy items onto the oval, Mitch Lubcke for the use of his truck for transporting the shearing trailer, Duffields for the use of their wool press, Gibbs family for the sheep ramp, Act Belong Commit Darkan Sheepfest members for admin and treasury and lastly Sarah and Mark Buscumb - Crackers-Contracting who organise and run the event on the day🐑

Novice Woolhandling
1. Matilda King 76
2. Annabelle Buscumb 85.1
3. Ljaiyah Himiona 110.1

Senior Woolhandling
1. Tameka Baker 56.23
2. Tira Ngarangione 58.96
3. Misty-Rose Kokiri 60.73
4. Emma Tombleson 65.33

Open Woolhandling
1. Kelly Moir 26.80
2. Jess Harding 32.20
3. Janelle Hauiti 32.95
4. Lee Gray 48.90

Novice Shearing
1. Mitchell Sermon 46.5
2. Cooper McCuish 47.5
3. Nic Hansen 57
4. Kallan Frewen 87

Intermediate Shearing
1. Blake McFarlane 78.27
2. Tristan White 78.95
3. Jake Noakes 82.33
4. Jahkaya Wakefield 106.83

Senior Shearing
1. Ethan Gellately 98.80
2. Peter Noakes 103.60
3. Angus McGregor 110.25
4. Paraz Jones-Tupara 113.35

Open Shearing
1. Damien Boyle 63.80
2. Luke Harding 64.90
3. Mark Buscumb 73.65
4. Tom Reed 77.70

Keep the Shearers and Wool handlers!