Emily Spencer claims podium spot as only woman at shearing nationals
The 23-year-old Tasmanian was the only woman to place on the podium at the national shearing championships.
Emily Spencer, 23, placed third in the Senior Shearing Championship at the 2026 National Shearing and Woolhandling Championships in Victoria. Spencer was the only woman among the top finishers.
Spencer comes from a family of shearers: her father and grandfathers all worked in the trade. Spencer has been shearing since age 18.
She shears about 200 sheep a day. She works as a contractor across Tasmania.
Competitors are judged on shearing technique, fleece aftercare and speed. The physical demands are tough, Spencer said.
Back pain is common.
- 23
- Age
- 200
- Daily sheep sheared
- Since 18
- Years shearing
- Third
- Placement
Why it mattersShows women are increasingly competing in and succeeding within traditionally male-dominated rural trades.
AustraliaDemonstrates women's growing presence in Australian rural industries like shearing, traditionally dominated by men.
