Quinn, Brian Patrick, 1941-

Date: 24 May 1998

From: Past champions oral history project - The Shear History Trust Golden Shears Open Champions

By: Foley, Jacqueline, 1951-; Quinn, Brian Patrick, 1941-

Reference: OHInt-0509/13

Description: Brian Quinn was born at New Plymouth in 1941. Describes moving to Otorohanga, Rangiatea, South Waikato, King Country and Aria because of his father's work on stations (farming). Talks about the family Pontiac, a Fordson tractor, their home, the importance of music in the home and his sister being in a band. Describes going to Otorohanga school, `wagging' and going to Aria School. Comments on his father's frustration at not being able to go to World War II. Mentions the impact of his parent's getting land though it was `hard country'. Describes driving cows from Otorohanga to Aria. Discusses childhood activities including Christmas. Mentions his mother's relatives. Describes leaving school at the age of fifteen, going shearing, the challenge of shearing, working with Stuart and Hilton Cheeseman, open and contract shearing, the atmosphere in the shed, the second shear, shearing Romneys and Border Leicesters, attitudes to the farmers, the relationship between shearers and shed hands, wages and wet weather. Mentions Tom and John Brough, Murray McSkimming, Bing Macdonald and Malcolm Barclay. Refers to his physique for shearing and conserving energy. Discusses entering local shearing competitions. Comments on the career highlight of winning the 1962 senior Golden Shears then the open championship in 1965. Talks about preparing for the Golden Shears by shearing round Masterton and Pahiatua. Discusses shearing gear. Comments on not being able to go on the overseas trips which were part of the prize. Talks about not entering the Golden Shears in 1969 and helping George Potae. Describes meeting his wife Lyn. Discusses dances and the pictures at Te Kuiti and Piopio. Recalls going for a trip to Gore and Alexandra, staying at Alexandra and getting a job with Murray McSkimming. Comments on the Shearers' Union in the south and how contractors looked after shearers. Talks about the role of the woolclasser. Discusses improvements in shearing technology including safety features the worm drive and spline drive. Talks about his contracting business with wife Lyn Quinn and having 50 to 60 employees. Discusses sorting out staffing difficulties. Mentions shearers' use of alcohol, changes in shearers over the years and having been a shearer for forty one years despite his original intention to shear to make money to buy a farm. Describes his move to Clyde. Details his children and their ages. Mentions the importance of family support at competitions particularly at the 1980 World Championship at Masterton where he won. Describes finding winning the Golden Shears emotional and not liking the limelight. Comments on Maori shearing style and the absence of racial discrimination. Talks about female shearer Michelle Harrex. Comments that he is known as `Snow' Quinn. Interviewer(s) - Jacqueline Foley Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 3 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-2523. Photos of Brian Quinn, Golden Shears champion in 1965, 1967, 1968, 1970, 1971 and 1972 competing in competitions. Photo of Brian Quinn in 1998.

Date: 1 Nov 1998 - 01 Nov 1998

From: Past champions oral history project - The Shear History Trust Golden Shears Open Champions

By: Vallance, Nikki, 1968?-; Cox, Roger Haig, 1951-

Reference: OHint-0509/04

Description: Roger Cox was born in Wanganui on 9 July 1951 where his parents worked on a dairy farm. Describes primary school education by correspondence and attending Feilding Agricultural High School. Describes working on a farm after school and leaving to go shearing around Eltham. Mentions shearing with Alan Finer, George Potae, Vic Harrex and Murray McSkimming. Describes the effect of attending a shearing course at Lincoln College. Talks about entering competition shearing. Recalls competing in the Golden Shears in 1970/1971, progress to making a Golden Shears open final and winning in 1977. Describes a trip to the World Championships at Bath (England) where he won the world title. Mentions the influence of Snow Quinn. Comments on the crowd at the event. Talks about shearing 60,000 to 70,000 sheep in a season and a million sheep over fourteen years. Recalls meeting his wife Ellie Theyers from Alexandra, getting married in 1974 and having two children. Describes the difficulties of his family being based in Hawera while he shore down south. Recalls competing in the Golden Shears in 1978, 1979, winning in 1980 and not being allowed to represent NZ at the World Championships. Comments on the Golden Shears as an organisation. Mentions competing in Australia, other team members and problems with judges. Comments on shows at Taranki and Te Kuiti. Describes physical rather than psychological preparation for the competition. Discusses leasing a farm, doing contracting shearing then purchasing a farm. Describes camping out while shearing. Talks about picking shearing gang members, minimal union involvement and rapport with farmers. Describes Sunbeam gear. Comments on increasing professionalism in running competitions. Mentions winning the Master Shearer Award early in his career and John Fagan. Comments on the farming and wool industry. Interviewer(s) - Nikki Dalziel Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 2 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-2513. Photographs of Roger Cox shearing and with his shearing gear