Sheep shearing is known to be “hard yakka” and deserves good pay. But instead of pocketing their wages, staff at Gostwyck Merino sheep station donated a day’s wages to Motor Neuron Disease research.

On Wednesday 15 September, six shearers, farming staff and wool sorters at Gostwyck near Uralla put in a day of work to help others, in a day which could become an annual tradition.

The disease has touched the hearts of many of them, but especially property owner of Gostwyck, Phil Attard, whose wife Alison is living with MND and is the inspiration behind the event.

“It was all their idea, and we are simply so amazed at their generosity”, said Phil in an interview with NBN News. “The words Alison used this morning is that she is blown away by what they are doing.”

The workers who sheared thousands of sheep that day, put in an incredible effort, raising thousands of dollars in an act of selflessness and generosity. And its something the crew believes may become a new tradition.

“It will be a bit of a thing now for the last day of our two-month run we will donate to MND research”, said one of the workers.

The workers donated approximately $8,000 in wages towards MND, half of which went towards MND Research at Macquarie University.

Gostwyck

Macquarie University Centre of Motor Neuron Disease Research