2026 South Eastern Speed Shear Competition – Bigger Than Ever!
Saturday 21st November | starts 2pm
The South Eastern Speed Shear Competition returns to Mount Gambier, with a whopping $20,000 prize pool, three competitive divisions and, for the first time, an exciting regional Tri-Series with an additional $3,000 up for grabs!
This is a family-friendly, accessible event – and a true blue experience you won't want to miss.
The South Eastern Speed Shear is back for 2026 | Shearing Comp starts 2pm
Shears sharp, crowd loud and $20,000 up for grabs!
Ever seen sheep being shorn in the middle of a packed Front Bar? Well, here's your chance!
On Saturday 21 November, the South Eastern Hotel in Mount Gambier will once again transform its Front Bar into a fully functioning shearing shed, complete with some of the fastest hands in the industry, flying fleece and a crowd that knows how to make some noise!
Now in its fourth year, our Speed Shear Competition has grown into a massive day on the local calendar, attracting shearers from across Australia and New Zealand to compete in front of a roaring crowd.
And if you think shearing a sheep is easy, wait until you see these professionals in action!
Last year's Open Final nearly lifted the roof off the place, with Jimmy Samuels taking out first place and $5,000 in just 17 seconds, narrowly beating Brandon Waters at 17.1 seconds and Kornie Roberts at 17.3 seconds.
That's three competitors separated by just three-tenths of a second!
This year, with a whopping $20,000 prize pool, we're expecting another extraordinary display of speed, strength, precision and serious shearing talent.
Three divisions. $20,000 in prize money!
There's some serious money on the line this year, with three competitive divisions, mighty impressive first-place prizes and prize money up for grabs right through to 6th place in each division!
Open Division – $7,000 First Prize
Seniors Division – $2,000 First Prize
Intermediate Division – $1,300 First Prize
NEW FOR 2026 – The Regional Speed Shear Tri-Series!
And here's where things get even more interesting!
For the first time, we've joined forces with two other popular regional shearing competitions to create a three-event series celebrating the extraordinary talent within our shearing industry.
Millicent (SA) – Friday 6 November
Casterton (VIC) – Saturday 14 November
South Eastern Hotel, Mount Gambier – Saturday 21 November
Competitors who enter all three events will be eligible to compete for additional Tri-Series prize money:
Open Tri-Series – $2,000 First Prize
Intermediate Tri-Series – $1,000 First Prize
That's an additional $3,000 in Tri-Series prize money, on top of the South Eastern Hotel's $20,000 competition prize pool!
Three events, three towns and another reason for shearers to get amongst the action!
Come and experience it for yourself!
There's something quite extraordinary about watching professional shearers at work, especially when the clock is ticking and the competition is this close.
The skill, the concentration, the physical effort and the sheer speed have to be seen to be believed.
And then there's the atmosphere!
Every available vantage point in the Front Bar becomes hot property as the competition heats up, with spectators cheering on their favourites and the noise building towards the finals.
Whether you're part of the shearing industry, a local looking for a great afternoon out or visiting Mount Gambier and keen to experience a genuine slice of country life, come and be part of it.
Saturday 21 November 2026
South Eastern Hotel – Front Bar, Mount Gambier
Competition starts at 2pm.
Shearer pre-registrations close at 1:30pm on the day with very limited spots. Registerations prior appreciated.
Family-friendly event. Everyone welcome!
A huge thank you to our generous sponsors, regional event partners, volunteers and local community for helping bring this extraordinary event to life.
See you in the Front Bar – where the fleece flies and the crowd roars!
