The original painting which was created at the Brocklesby Station in Corowa is currently at the National Gallery of Victoria and although the original will not make its way back to Corowa, there will be a great number of recreations including tapestry of the painting donated by the family of Val Vozbrik.
Some of the descendants of those in the painting also still live in Corowa and will be invited to the celebrations.
Corowa Historical Society member Lesley New said the historical society would love to hear more about some of the paintings subjects as well as telling the story behind the painting.
“We would love to hear from descendants of some of the people in the painting,” Lesley said.
“Many people know of the painting but there are a number that do not know it was painted in our region, in a shed outside of Corowa.
“The celebrations will be held on the long weekend in October with a blade shearing demo to also take place.
“Many local shops are interested in supporting the event including the golf club who are hosting a ‘Tom Roberts Shearing the Rams Classic golf day.
“A float in this years Federation Festival was also inspired by the painting.
“It is now 130 years old so we thought we would do something significant to mark it.
“The festival of dance is also on the same weekend in town, so we are looking for there to be a big crowd.
“An art historian will also speak, spinning and weaving demonstrations will be displayed in Sanger Street and we have a number of different events organised for a great weekend.”
The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) website describes the painting in detail, explaining the meaning behind the painting
“Shearing the Rams is a response to the nationalistic sentiment that developed in Australia during the late nineteenth century,” the NGV website states.
“It reflects the emergence of a national identity defined through heroic rural activity and the economic importance of the wool industry.
“The iconic painting is based on a number of preliminary sketches Mr Roberts completed on the spot at Brocklesby Station in Corowa in the late spring of 1888.
“He returned during the following two spring periods (shearing season) to work on the painting. Once completed, the work was exhibited in the artist’s studio in Collins Street, Melbourne.
“Mr Roberts set up his easel in the empty woolshed at Brocklesby Station and paid young Susan Bourne (the model for the tar ‘boy’) and her sister sixpence apiece to kick up the dust so he could recapture the atmosphere of shearing time.
“What immediately impresses, is the work’s evident vivid realism, the snapshot, photographic composition.
“Convincing details, such as the sunlit gold of the bottles of oil for the whetstones, a pair of shears propped against a wall, and a tobacco pipe stuck in a man’s trousers, give the picture a real ring of truth.”
For further information or if you are a descendant of one of the painting subjects contact Lesley on 02 6033 1164 or the Corowa Historical Society.