Can it get anymore Australia Day than this?
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For one night and one night only, Wagga residents can combine three of their favourite things in the name of a good cause.
Sportmen’s Club Hotel will come alive on Australia Day Eve for the Shear a Sheep, Drink a Beer, Eat a Pie event.
Some of the Riverina’s finest shearers will go head-to-head with all money raised headed to Beyond Blue.
Event founder Matt Hawker said it all started as a joke but the event has now grown to support a more than worthy cause.
“Men’s depression in the country is a big one so we really want to get the word out there and spread awareness,” he said.
“Guys don’t tend to talk very much about these things so it’s all about mates helping mates.”
Mr Hawker said there was no better way to encourage men to open up than having a beer to reign in Australia Day.
“Ultimately it is about having a beer and a good time with your mates,” he said.
The event will kick off with the first heat at 6.30pm in the beer garden on Thursday night.
Shearers will be arriving from as far as Temora and Goulburn to compete with local residents and help out with the cause.
One female shearer will take on the nine competing men, including Jarrod Edyvean, who spent a long-hall shearing sheep in October to raise money for suicide prevention.
In its second year, manager Ben Stratton said the event was very successful.
“It was received really well by the crowds, especially being for a good cause,” he said.
Mr Stratton said it was difficult to predict how many would attend the event, given the Australia Day weekend, but hoped for similar strong crowds.
“We are always on board with supporting charities and Beyond Blue is an excellent cause,” he said.
“It’s also about the Australian culture and having a beer with your mates.
“It’s become quite a controversial day but this event still highlights its importance.”
Mr Stratton said there would be lots of opportunities for crowd involvement during the auction, as the top four shearers face off in the final showdown.