Dubbo will again show off its major event hosting credentials when the city soon becomes the shearing and wool handling capital of Australia.
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For the first time, the National Shearing and Wool Handling Championships will be held in Dubbo from November 28 to 30.
More than 100 of the best shearers and wool handlers in the country will battle it out at the Dubbo Showground, where they will attempt to claim a national title and become part of the Australian team that will take on the Kiwis at the Golden Shears competition in New Zealand next year.
"It's a big attraction for Dubbo, a lot of people come and spend their dollars in Dubbo so it's another feather in the cap for Dubbo," Chair of the Dubbo Show Society shearing committee Don Mudford said.
"The Thursday is a practice day and we're having a local Dubbo competition on the Friday," he said.
"The winners of the Dubbo competition, if they're from NSW, can be up for selection at next year's Dubbo Show for the state team."
Mr Mudford said state teams, which had already been selected, would fight it out for national selection on the Saturday.
Speed, cuts visible on sheep and the presence of skin on the fleece were all factors judges would consider when they determined the best shearers, Mr Mudford advised.
Families from across the region could check out the championships for free, he said.
"There'll be markets and stalls for the whole family, food there and a bar.
"We've also got the regional junior judging on the Saturday, the other local shows from this region will be selected on that day to go to the Sydney Royal Easter Show."
Various night-time social events, including presentation dinners, will also be held as part of the championships.
More than 300 people in total are expected to stay and spend in Dubbo as a result of the event, Mr Mudford says.