Height
4 meters
Year Built
1983
Address
Jackie Howe Rest Area, Cunningham Highway & Glengallan Road, Warwick, QLD 4370
The Lowdown
The Big Shears at Jackie Howe Park in Warwick pays tribute to one of Australia's greatest working heroes - Jackie Howe (1861-1920), the legendary blade shearer whose records remain unbroken to this day. The monument features a massive pair of hand shears perched atop blocks representing bales of wool, symbolizing Howe's incredible feat of shearing 321 sheep in just 7 hours and 40 minutes using only blade shears at Alice Downs near Blackall in 1892. Born in nearby Killarney, Howe learned his craft in the woolsheds of the Warwick district before becoming the most famous shearer in Australian history. His legacy extends beyond shearing - by adopting a sleeveless shirt to facilitate his blade work, he gave his name to the iconic 'Jackie Howe' singlet still worn across Australia today. The rest area features shaded picnic facilities, a playground, and murals depicting drovers and shearers.
Did you know?
"The 'Jackie Howe' singlet is named after him - he adopted the sleeveless shirt style for easier blade work"
History
The Jackie Howe Memorial was established in 1983 when Warwick honoured its famous son with this distinctive monument. Unveiled by Hon. J. A. Elliott, Minister for Tourism, National Parks, Sport & The Arts on January 29, 1983, the memorial commemorates John Robert 'Jackie' Howe (1861-1920), born in Killarney near Warwick. Howe learned blade shearing in local woolsheds before moving to Central Queensland in the 1880s, where he would set records that have never been broken. On October 10, 1892, at Alice Downs station near Blackall, Howe sheared 321 sheep in 7 hours and 40 minutes using only blade shears - essentially large scissors. While his daily record was eventually beaten by Ted Reick in 1950, Reick used machine shears, making Howe's hand-shearing record untouchable. After retiring from shearing in 1900, Howe bought the Universal Hotel in Blackall, where another statue now stands in his honour.
More Fun Facts
- •Jackie Howe's record of 321 sheep in 7 hours 40 minutes with blade shears has NEVER been broken
- •The 'Jackie Howe' singlet is named after him - he adopted the sleeveless shirt style for easier blade work
- •When Ted Reick beat Howe's daily tally in 1950, he was using machine shears - Howe's hand-shearing record still stands
- •Howe was born in nearby Killarney and learned to shear in woolsheds around the Warwick district
- •The monument was unveiled in 1983 by the Queensland Minister for Tourism
- •Jackie Howe's actual shears are held in the National Museum of Australia collection
- •There's also a bronze statue of Jackie Howe in Blackall where he set his famous record
Visiting Tips
- 💡Great rest stop on the Cunningham Highway between Brisbane and Toowoomba
- 💡Check out the murals on the toilet block depicting drovers and shearers
- 💡The shaded playground is perfect for kids to burn off energy during road trips
- 💡Combine with a visit to the Big Thermometer in nearby Stanthorpe (30 min drive)
- 💡For the full Jackie Howe experience, also visit his bronze statue in Blackall where he set his record
- 💡Look for the two plaques on the monument telling Jackie Howe's story
Opening Hours
Rest area is always accessible. Excellent place to stop when driving the Cunningham Highway.
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Big Golden Gumboot
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Big Mango
A 10-meter tall, 7-tonne fibreglass tribute to Bowen's mango industry, famously 'stolen' by Nando's in 2014 for a viral marketing campaign.