Dede Atkinson

Wool industry worker Dede Atkinson is a Yorta Yorta and Wilthica woman from the Bangerang tribe in Echuca, Victoria. Dede is building on her experience as a rouseabout and shearer by undertaking a wool classing course. With another skill under her belt, she will now be able to fill any role in the shearing shed.

Find out more about Dede’s story in the resources below, which can be downloaded and/or shared through networks that help promote First Nations peoples’ connection to agriculture or in conversations relating to First Nations careers, skills and training for jobs across this sector.

Growing up in the shearing sheds

Giving shearing a go!

What’s involved in wool classing

Dede’s story

Read or download this case study about Dede’s connection to agriculture:

• Blazing trails for women in the shearing industry [PDF File - 6.8 MB]
• Blazing trails for women in the shearing industry – accessible file [MS Word Document - 40.6 KB]

More information

For more information about:

• Atkinson Shearing, go to the Facebook page at Atkinson Shearing
• shearer and woolhandling training, visit www.swti.edu.au or call/email on 1300 787 984 or admin@swti.edu.au

To speak to someone with a general enquiry about studying wool classing at TAFE, call the TAFE and Training Line on 13 18 23, Monday–Friday, 8.3 am – 4.30 pm; or email your query to tafe.courseline@djsir.vic.gov.au (a free service).
If you decide to call a TAFE directly, don’t forget you can ask for the First Nations student support officer as a first point of contact.