Win has special meaning for Greg

Winning the trophy named in memory of local farmer Ash Heitman at this year's Mingenew expo had special meaning for retired shearing contractor Greg Byron.

Ash, who died in a car accident at the start of this year, worked as a learner in Greg's shearing team.

"He was a happy-go-lucky young bloke who loved his work," Greg said. "He had a lot of farm commitments but still got there to do a bit of shearing. He was just a good, young bloke."

Greg's winning time for the local speed shearing competition was 49.208 seconds. Runner-up in the local competition was Aydin King, third place went to Andrew Taylor, fourth to Tania Fielding and fifth to Brett Broad.

Daniel Hodgson, of Badgingarra, took out the open speed shearing competition, shearing his sheep in 33.325 seconds. Second place in the open event went to Shane Harvey, third to Ray Ray, fourth to Dwayne Black and fifth to Mark Cribb.

More photos in next week's _Countryman _.