Eddie Corcoran, former President of the Woolfest (or Wool Week as it was known) Committee, said it all started in 1994 after taking a portable shearing plant to the Nation’s capital. 

“It was Kathy Tilden who decided it was a good marketing thing so Donny Marion, a good, hardworking bloke who used to do a lot of welding at George Campbell, he and a lot of helpers put the hut on the back of a truck,” Mr Corcoran said. 

Along for the ride was committee member and sheep dog enthusiast Paul McGee, local musical talent Trudy Wale and Boorowa’s Mayor at the time, Rob Gledhill. 

“We drove it to Canberra, outside of the shopping plaza in Civic,” Eddie said. 

“Paul (McGee) took a mob of sheep over, we got sheep yards from the CSIRO, all of the local studs took some rams to exhibit.

“Robbie Gledhill came over and gave a speech, a lot of people came from Boorowa to support us.” 

One of the highlights was a shearing demonstration by World Champion Shearer Ian Elkins and a visit from a special member of Parliament. 

“Alby Schultz rang in Parliament,” Eddie said. 

“He wanted details, came down in a Commonwealth car, mounted the stage and gave a bit of a speech. 

“We had around 500-700 people in their lunch hour watching it.” 

From this came the Woolfest event we know and love today, including the Quick Shear. 

“We needed money and we said why don’t we approach Guinness Breweries for support?” Eddie said. 

“They were the first major sponsors of the first Quick Shear, which was held at the Top Pub the in mid 90’s.” 

Eddie says looking back is his way of paying tribute to the Committee at the time, including Rob Blake, Steve Nash, Paul McGrath, Paul McGee, Trudy Wale and Donny Marion and the local businesses which supported them. 

“I have a great admiration for the local business people, always have their hand in their pocket, not only for Woolfest,” he said.