Doug's in his element at the Shears

A man who had literally just started at primary school when he fell in love with competitive shearing is to author a book on the first 50 years of Golden Shears.
Journalist Doug Laing, formerly of Masterton, will spearhead the history to be published by Fraser Books for release in the aftermath of next year's milestone shears.
It will draw on the recorded history of the shearers and others who have banded together over five decades to create the world's greatest shearing contest, some of Mr Laing's own reminiscences and anecdotes contributed by those who harbour a special memory relating to Golden Shears.
Now a resident of Napier Mr Laing, 54, picked up the mantle of shearing guru from his father Les who, as Masterton Public Relations Officer, was at the coalface of setting up the first Golden Shears in 1961.
Mr Laing said the extraordinary thing that made the shears stand out was it is just as popular now as it was nearly 50 years ago.
"It has made Masterton a real model of a small-town running a huge event.
"Dozens of people take a whole week off work every year to make the shears happen and the book will be a tribute to these incredible people."
He said the plan is to produce not only a dedicated record of results and finalists over the years, decade by decade, but also to give the book a human face by reproducing anecdotes. For that reason people are being encouraged to contribute material for consideration.
This can be done by sending an email to Mr Laing at doug_laing@xtra.co.nz
His love of shearing began when his dad helped to accommodate shearers who had arrived in town for the competition without having made plans on where to stay.
"Some would spend a week at our place. I recall one of those was Snow Quinn.
"Another was Colin Bosher who was a great personality and had an array of sleight-of-hand tricks.
"His stories enthralled us."
To the young Laing having gun shearers staying at his home was equivalent to having the All Black captain as a boarder. His first written effort on shearing was as a 10-year-old when he submitted an article to an Australian newspaper.
It was not only published, the editor got on the phone and congratulated him for his work, and for having the initiative to submit it.
As a young man Doug worked during the shearing season as a rowsie and had just learned to shear when his other great calling in life kicked in. He secured a job as a reporter for the Central Hawke's Bay Press in Waipukurau.
Mr Laing said it's hard to pin down either the greatest shearer, or shearing event, he has seen over the lifespan of Golden Shears.
"Every year people say the final was the best one yet."
One thing he is sure of is New Zealand produces the greatest shears in the world.
"They are held in absolute awe wherever they go. That was brought home to me when I went to the world championships in Norway late last year.
"Our shearers are the best advertisement this country's has."