Toko produces world Number One | Taranaki Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Taranaki

By Leon Gray-Lockhart

HAVING dedicated his adult working life to shearing, Paul Avery can finally take full credit for years of hard work, scooping first place in the machine-shearing final at the World Shearing and Woolhandling Championships in Bjerkreim, Norway last week.

Arriving off the plane at New Plymouth on Friday, Paul was overwhelmed by an enclave of delighted, enthusiastic and extremely proud supporters made up of his friends and family, and the humble Toko farmer was left somewhat lost for words.

"I had no idea this was going to happen," said the 41-year-old.

However, there was plenty of adulation from the gathered fans, including Stratford District Mayor, John Edwards.

"To win this title on the world stage is an absolutely fantastic achievement," said Mr Edwards, "There have been many years of time, effort and struggle and it really doesn't get any better than this."

Paul's big sister, Wendy, was also more than glad to express pride and appreciation at her brother's efforts.

"We're all very pleased and so proud of what he's done it was so good to see him win the title," she said.

Among the other supporters gathered at the airport were two of Paul's children, David, 14, and Sarah, 9 who were very pleased to see their father again, while other children were there waving large signs emblazoned with the words, 'World Champ' and 'World's Best Shearer.'

Paul himself was bearing a large bouquet of flowers that he'd received in Auckland the previous night, where he'd also received a $10,000 AMP scholarship. He was also in possession of a large silver plate and had received $5000 in prize money from the event.

The last stages of the competition itself were fiercely fought, with a nail-biting race to victory over Scottish contender, Gavin Mutch.

Much of the challenge of the competition came not from other contestants, but the uneasy Norwegian sheep, the near freezing temperatures and somewhat ironically, the noise of the excited crowds.

"I couldn't believe it," said Paul, "When I was shearing, I couldn't hear anything, there was so much noise."

"I didn't know how I'd gone until I finished. I looked down the board and I saw no one else was within a sheep. I was pretty excited."

Waiting for the final points to be tallied was itself a hair-raising experience for Paul, but the final result was well worth the wait.

"I've waited 10 years for this," he said, commenting on when he and David Avery won as a team 10 years earlier.

"It feels so good to win the title. I've been having a really good year, but this has just blown me away and its great to finally get the recognition I've been working for."

Paul's success is not only a testament to his own skills, but the amazing amount of support that he has received from those around him not simply their encouragement, but the more practical needs of keeping his family farm ticking over in his absence.

There are one or two competitions every weekend around the country and making the national team is a challenge in itself. The next round of competitions starts from November and goes through to April 2009.

"I'm very fortunate to have a good, hard-working wife and a great family."

Paul said he was glad to be back in Taranaki again and is very much looking forward to catching up with everybody.