The Shear Queen: Nikki Lyons Cuts Her Way Into History with 502 Lambs
Australian shearer Nikki Lyons has made history by becoming the first woman to shear more than 500 merino lambs in a single day — proving determination can cut through anything.
Before the first rays of sunlight touched the Wimmera plains, Nikki Lyons was already gripping her handpiece. Twelve hours later, the 38-year-old mother of four from New South Wales had done what no woman before her had even tried — sheared 502 merino lambs in a single day, setting a new world record.
The shed near Marnoo, Victoria, was packed with supporters — farmers, friends, and fellow shearers — all watching history unfold blow by blow. By the final run, sweat streaked her face, the floor was silvered with wool, and the crowd erupted as her tally flashed on the board.
“It’s been two and a half years of training for one day,” Lyons said, leaning against the pens, still catching her breath. “I promised my 17-year-old self I’d do something big — and I finally did.”
From the Shears to School Runs
Lyons’ journey back to the board was far from simple. After starting her shearing career young, she stepped away for over a decade to raise her children — Anika, Gracie, Hamish, and Chloe. But when Australia faced a shearer shortage during the pandemic, she picked up the handpiece again.
Mornings began with school buses and gym sessions, followed by long days in the shed. “She puts the kids on the bus, gets to work, and just flies through the lambs,” said fellow shearer Tim Redman. “Most blokes can’t keep up.”
A Record Years in the Making
Last year, Lyons briefly held the eight-hour shearing record before someone else took the title. Instead of giving up, she doubled her training, honing both her physical strength and mental focus.
Champion shearer Sacha Bond, who supported Lyons during the record attempt, said her determination was as sharp as her combs. “She’s got a heart of gold, but she’s fierce when she sets her mind on something,” Bond said.
For Lyons, the Victorian location was strategic — the lambswool there is cleaner and easier to shear, giving her a small edge in an otherwise brutal test of endurance.
Beyond the Record
When the final lamb was shorn, Lyons didn’t just make history — she made a statement. Her children watched from the wool bales, tears in their eyes, as their mum rewrote what strength looks like.
“My knees are sore, sure,” she laughed the next day, “but I feel amazing. Going from stay-at-home mum fitness to world-record fitness — that’s something.”
Though she’s unsure whether she’ll chase another record, one thing is certain: Nikki Lyons has already left her mark on an industry built on hard work and resilience.
And as she finally allows herself a few sleep-ins, she’s not just proud of the number 502 — she’s proud of keeping a promise to herself, and to every woman watching.
“Wool built this country,” she said. “Now it’s time to build it back up — and maybe inspire a few more women to grab the handpiece.”