AS Hamilton is scratched from the map as the Wool Capital of the World, residents have revolted by celebrating its rich wool history by yarn bombing the region.
The inaugural Woolly West Fest garnered international attention following a controversial change by Southern Grampians Shire Council to ditch Hamilton's 'Wool Capital of the World' slogan last year for 'Greater Hamilton, One Place, Many Possibilities' in a $75,000 rebranding exercise.
Though it has fallen out of use in recent years, the iconic slogan was first used in the 1970s as recognition of the wool industry's contribution to the local economy.
While the new brand aims to reinvent the Hamilton region by promoting education, business and job opportunities, proud wool producers and South West residents ramped-up their support for the fibre by honouring its place in the region and launching the inaugural Woolly West Fest.
Regional Arts Victoria provided funding and Australian Wool Innovation donated wool to the project that included eight of the shire's towns decorating a wooden sheep with various wool craft techniques and the Shire's branding colours.
More than 300 people joined forces to help decorate their town's sheep before the flock was penned at Hamilton's Sheepvention for judging.
More than 2500 votes were cast for the Green Sheep Project with the supreme champion awarded to Sir Manx Loaghtan, the Branxholme/Byaduk exhibit, who won by 14 votes.
"What I hoped to achieve was to simply show people that there are other ways to use wool other than simply wearing it," co-organiser Jacinta Wareham said.
Ms Wareham said the response had been "beyond organisers wildest dreams" with interest in the event as far as England to Canberra.
The sheep will be dispersed back to their towns for viewing before attending a flock tour of the Southern Grampians craft events later this year.
Annabelle Beale
National Sheep & Wool Writer for Fairfax Agricultural Media
National Sheep & Wool Writer for Fairfax Agricultural Media
