Graeme Bell started going to the New Zealand Merino Shearing Championships "almost by accident", sneaking in as a young boy to watch the best in the industry compete in shearing and woolhandling.
Mr Bell, a life member of the New Zealand Merino Shearing Society (NZMSS), a committee member for the
annual shearing championships and a long-serving woolhandling judge, is believed to be the only person who has attended all 57 championships.
Mr Bell, of Alexandra, said he started attending the events "a little bit by accident".
"We lived across the road from the town hall where they were held and I was just a young, little lad and I used to wag school and go, and I got involved that way. And that involvement has led to a long career with the wool industry".
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