The Big Merino Ram
Height
Unknown
Year Built
Address
Ram Park, Blackall, QLD 4472
The Lowdown
The Big Merino Ram stands in Blackall, deep in Queensland's Channel Country, commemorating the town's place in Australia's wool history. Blackall is famous as the place where legendary shearer Jackie Howe set his hand-blade shearing record in 1892 - 321 sheep in 7 hours and 40 minutes, a record that stood for over a century. This ram sculpture, set in Ram Park, celebrates the wool industry that built outback Queensland and honours the tough shearers who worked in brutal conditions. Blackall remains a working pastoral town, surrounded by vast sheep and cattle stations.
Did you know?
"Blackall's wool boom built many of the town's historic buildings"
History
Blackall became famous when Jackie Howe sheared 321 sheep in under 8 hours using hand blades on 10 October 1892. This extraordinary feat was not beaten until 1950, and even then only with machine shears. Howe became a folk hero, and the sleeveless 'Jackie Howe' singlet worn by workers across Australia is named after him. The Big Merino Ram celebrates this heritage and the wool industry that made Australia 'ride on the sheep's back' for over a century. Blackall remains a working pastoral centre today.
More Fun Facts
- •Jackie Howe sheared 321 sheep in 7 hours 40 minutes in 1892
- •His record stood for 58 years until broken by machine shears
- •The 'Jackie Howe' singlet is named after the legendary shearer
- •Merino wool from this region was prized worldwide
- •Blackall's wool boom built many of the town's historic buildings
Visiting Tips
- 💡Visit the Jackie Howe statue also in Blackall
- 💡The Blackall Woolscour is the only remaining steam-powered woolscour in Australia
- 💡Ram Park has other wool heritage displays
- 💡The town has an aquatic centre built around artesian bore water
Opening Hours
Outdoor sculpture in public park.
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