A Victorian has claimed the title of one of Australia’s best wool handlers.
Sophie Huf, Hawkesdale, was one of two named 2016 National Woolhandling champions at Warialda, NSW on Sunday, October 8.
Representing Victoria for the third time, Ms Huf said she had only been competing for nine years and hadn’t expected to win.
“To be Australian champion when you’ve been in the state-team only three times is basically unheard of,” she said.
“I’m very happy and chuffed to have done so well.”
Growing up on a sheep farm, Ms Huf said wool handling was in her blood and second nature, as she was also a shearing and wool handling trainer at Rural Industries Skill Training, Hamilton.
She said the competition was judged on the quality of the job, the visual elements and clean up.
“There’s a lot of pressure to compete and it’s a really tough competition,” she said.
“But I think having my son there… it put my nerves away.”
She beat Tasmanian and Western Australian wool handlers to take the top title.
Ms Huf said she was proud to be competing in the world titles next year.
They will be held in Invercargill, New Zealand, between February 9 and 17, next year.
Australia will be one of 31 countries represented at the titles .