Sheep and a willy-wagtail
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (340489)
Rockingham, Australia
August 22, 2019 6:01pm CST
We drove through the small country town of Wickepin last week and I spotted this mural on a wall. I also like the tin sheep and model of a windmill. I love the old wooden gate too. We had a number of these on our farm, all of which my father had made himself. This area is noted for its Merino sheep and the quality of the wool grown there.
When I was at a school we were taught that ‘Australia rode on the sheep’s back’ as wool production was the main agricultural pursuit and our biggest export. Some early settlers made sizeable fortunes from their flocks.
The bird in the top right-hand corner is a willy-wagtail but has been painted on the iron. It is much more than life-size.
23 people like this
22 responses
@snowy22315 (180979)
• United States
23 Aug 19
That is neat looking. I have seen plenty of bars with dairy cows painted on them, but none with sheep.
4 people like this
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
23 Aug 19
love the whole scene! how cute's that, such a sweet lil vignette 'f times 'f ol'. i've the ol' windmill here, saved 't when such collapsed years 'go. sadly 'tis jest layin' out by the drive. keep tryin' to talk the hubs ('n youngest son) to build me a stand fer such out'ta metal.
's australia still a major producer/'xporter 'f wool?
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
25 Aug 19
@JudyEv i'd wondered 'f such. yes ma'am, 'twas a massive industry back'n the day. 't times i wish we could go back with the wisdom 'f now.
1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (78882)
• East Tawas, Michigan
23 Aug 19
I have always loved sheep, my grandma had two adult sheep and one lamb. They were so sweet! Wool is definitely a profitable business, to be involved with this export would be wonderful
I love this mural!
I love this mural!1 person likes this
@JudyEv (340489)
• Rockingham, Australia
26 Aug 19
@kobesbuddy Maybe one day when we stop travelling, we'll get another sheep.
1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (78882)
• East Tawas, Michigan
25 Aug 19
@JudyEv I sure do remember Hercules! He was a beautiful animal and I felt so bad when he had to be euthanized
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (87830)
• Bangalore, India
23 Aug 19
That is a lovely mural. I thought the bird to be a real bird till I read that it is part of the art work.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54402)
• United States
23 Aug 19
Honestly, looking at this there would be no way to take a baaaaad picture :-)
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (340489)
• Rockingham, Australia
26 Aug 19
@DocAndersen Aussies have more sense than to tip! 
But I do read all your posts (I think).
But I do read all your posts (I think).1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54402)
• United States
25 Aug 19
@JudyEv I am here all week - remember to tip your server!
1 person likes this
@SophiaMorros (5044)
• Belews Creek, North Carolina
23 Aug 19
I don't think I've ever seen corrugated sheep before!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (340489)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 Aug 19
@SophiaMorros That's a great idea! 
1 person likes this
@SophiaMorros (5044)
• Belews Creek, North Carolina
23 Aug 19
@JudyEv keep it up and you'll have a corrugated zoo!
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72285)
• Philippines
23 Aug 19
I love the mural. Wool is something that I think we hardly have any use of here. Maybe because this is a tropical country. Or I just don't know much of the other uses of wool.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72285)
• Philippines
23 Aug 19
@JudyEv True, especially with the price.
1 person likes this
@averygirl72 (37845)
• Philippines
23 Aug 19
Interesting art. I learn today about wool production in Australia
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (340489)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 Aug 19
The original sheep for wool were Merinos brought in from Spain.
@JudyEv (340489)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 Aug 19
Shearing them doesn't hurt. They are much more comfortable after their fleeces are removed.
