Mr Hollitt is respected for his shearing ability, but he reckons most blokes are more envious of his ability to talk to women.

Yap Yap, as Mr Hollitt is known, keeps a folder of his many achievements as he travels across Australia and often to New Zealand to conduct shearing displays and competitions and it shows the many characters he has met and worked with.

His dedication to shearing showed a couple of years back when he had a heart attack while holding a meeting to organise a shearing competition.

Mr Hollitt says, in his peak, he could shear about 200 a day, but he believes quality is far better than quantity.

These days he has learned to say no and has taken a step back from judging and competitive shearing, yet his longevity can be admired.

“It’s important to keep your lower back warm when you’re shearing, preferably with a good singlet,” he said.

Mr Hollitt has lived in the Queensland-NSW border region of Mingoola for the past 30 years.

The region is renowned for producing superfine Merinos.

Quality Merinos from the area were on show at the Ekka, with superfine wool producers Rick and Bim Goodrich of Waroo, Stanthorpe, providing the sheep for the demonstrations.

Since living in the district, Mr Hollitt has passed on his skills to those keen to learn and taken part in world title and quick shear competitions.

His commitment to helping others, extends far out of the shearing shed, with a lifetime involvement in the pony club movement and sincere desire to make others’ lives better.

Mr Hollitt’s grandchildren have taken up his love of horses and pony club, with two granddaughters Alli and Elizabeth keen members of the Tenterfield Pony Club.

At the Ekka, Mr Hollitt teamed up with Carl Goodman from the Longreach Agricultural College, each demonstrating shearing to young show-goers.

Growing up near the Flinders Ranges in South Australia, Trevor Hollitt took up shearing after leaving school, learning from his neighbour Ron Bennier.

Mr Hollitt conducted shearing displays for the entire 10 days of the show and was always up for a yarn.