Dwayne Black: Champion Sheep Shearer
Breaking records
Age: 34
Industry: Rural and Farming
Dwayne Black is a natural competitor. The son of a well-known sheep shearer, he embraced the physical nature of the job after giving up a business/law degree. The father of three is now a world champion and loves the buzz of travelling the countryside and breaking records in the sheds. 
Dwayne Black is the first to admit that shearing is hard work. He says, above all else, to be a good shearer you must have a solid work ethic and enjoy physical activity and the outdoors.
"When you are operating at the elite level, you are just as much an athlete as a craftsman."
"But it's as hard as you make it. It's one of the few jobs where you actually get paid for your ability."
Starting out
Dwayne was exposed to the shearer's life from a young age as his father was in the industry. He started school in New Zealand, but his family then settled in the small coastal town of Esperance in Western Australia, where the shearing work was constant.
With his glowing academic report, Dwayne made it into a business/law degree in Perth, but after just one semester Dwayne was less-than-impressed with the lifestyle he was leading.
"My Dad rang me up and asked me to attend the shearing school he was running at the time. And that was it. I never looked back."
Dwayne was hooked on the physical nature of the job and started earning very good money straight away. He was soon offered work overseas in New Zealand and the UK.
"I really fell on my feet. To be just 20 years old and travelling the world getting paid well, was fantastic. Plus, you are never in one place with this job and get to see a lot of the countryside."
Breaking world records
Dwayne clearly had the natural talent and a thirst for competition and soon began training for his first world record attempt.
"You literally turn into a machine," Dwayne says excitedly. "There is an incredible amount of intense preparation involved — from consulting physiotherapists and dietitians and of course a rigorous training program to improve flexibility and endurance."
"Even though I have my name on the world record it is a team effort, and I really have the best possible team around me. Even the sheep are hand-picked."
Dwayne currently holds an incredible six world records, mainly in the endurance or marathon events. In one effort in April 2005, he spent a greueling nine hours shearing 513 merino ewes, six more than the previous world record.
Fighting fit
In a telling study, some researchers from the University of Western Australia monitored Dwayne's heart rate, blood and temperature statistics while he was competing. They concluded that shearing is one of the most physically demanding occupations in the world today.
In fact, Dwayne is fitter than many athletes competing at an elite level, with a mental toughness to match.
He is also passionate about passing his knowledge on to young shearers, and is heavily involved in training and education.
"Training is paramount. The reality is we are losing a lot of youngsters to other industries and don't have the numbers we once did."
Despite all his achievements he remains very humble and is a family man who loves going for a surf and relaxing with his wife and three kids.
"Shearing is a career that you can match to your lifestyle. I have a hunger for it and I love it," he exclaims.
"You can make good money, get paid to keep fit and travel anywhere you want. It's a skill for life."
Best part?
I love the camaraderie and the team effort of shearing. Everyone is working in sync and all working at 100 per cent and there is a great deal of team satisfaction.
Hardest part?
Some days can be tough -- with the heat and uncomfortable work conditions. But you just grin down and bear it and know there are better days to come.
Typical day?
Working day typically runs from 7.30 to 5.30 so it's a solid 8-hour day with four shearing runs and smokos in between.
What personal qualities do you need?
You can't be scared of hard work, you have to like physical activity, and you need to enjoy working in a team environment.
Advice?
Go for it. I see a lot of young guys and girls with potential and tell them it's not something they have to do forever. It's a skill you can learn and will never forget.