TEACHING wool classing has been Tony Campesato's passion for more than 40 years.
Over that time, he has seen many talented people come in and out of woolsheds throughout rural Australia.
Once a male-dominated field, wool classing is now handled mostly by women.
"When I started, you wouldn't even see one female cook in the sheds," Mr Campesato said.
"The working conditions were pretty hard for women and I guess they still are to some extent.
"But these days, 70 per cent of those I teach are female."
Turnover of skilled people was one of the biggest challenges now facing the profession, he said.
Nevertheless, Mr Campesato, who works for South West TAFE at Hamilton, said wool classing offered a good living and there was plenty of demand for good classers.
He thinks the industry needs more promotion and, to that end, has helped organise a high profile wool-classing competition for Sheepvention this year.
Last year, Sheepvention introduced Woolshear, a popular interstate team shearing and wool handling competition featuring top-class shearers and wool handlers.
This year, wool classing will also be judged, as Sheepvention has secured an AWEX-sponsored event that had previously been struggling at the Australian Sheep and Wool Show in Bendigo.
Six entrants have been hand-picked by accredited wool-classing instructors and Tony hopes the event will continue to grow.
