Joyce Stewart passed away at the age of 98, happily spinning the day before her death and having enjoyed sharing the joy of the 2012 “Wilanjie” lambing season which included a set of triplets.
Joyce Stewart began a 38 year involvement in the breeding of coloured sheep after her daughter Marion gave her a spinning wheel in 1974. She was given two coloured sheep but soon realised that the fleeces from these sheep were not easy to spin. From that time she committed her efforts to breeding a style of sheep that would produce a free-opening, long-stapled fleece which would make spinning easy for herself and also for other spinners.
Joyce was present at the meeting, chaired by the then State President Ethel Stephenson, to form a branch of the Black & Coloured Sheep Breeders Association of Australia (Vic) in the North East and subsequently held the position of secretary for several years.
In those early years Joyce was the instigator of on-farm field days where she and other breeders could share their knowledge. This included inviting speakers such as Ted Scarlet to address members and give pointers on breeding and nutrition to improve the quality of sheep. There was also a day with the local vet on how to control worms with drenches, to vaccinate, to assess teeth, trim feet and administer antibiotics.
Joyce was always seeking to extend her knowledge and read many books on sheep breeding and management. She fondly remembered the Association bus trip to merino studs in the Riverina. Others will remember her cornering the stud masters and picking their brains for tips on breeding and showing. Joyce was an experienced farmer and knew the harsh conditions which were often experienced north of the Great Dividing Range. Each year she selected the sheep to remain in the flock and ruthlessly cull those not suitable.
She had settled on Corriedale sheep as the basis for the flock. They had stamina for drought conditions and produced long, clean fleeces for hand spinning. Very soon her fellow spinners started asking for coloured fleeces and so Joyce began selling spinning wool. Showing sheep began at Wangaratta Show in the 1980’s and then spread to other district shows: Yarrawonga, Rutherglen, Wodonga, Tallangatta. Joyce was always interested in the comments of the judges and frequently called them back to ask advice on breeding and nutrition.
As the quality of the “Wilanjie” sheep improved sheep were entered at the Royal Melbourne Show and also the ASBA Sheep Show in the years that show was held at The Royal Showgrounds in Melbourne. It was at the AGM of the Black & Coloured Sheep Breeders Association of Victoria that Joyce would enjoy social contact with other members and this became an annual tradition. After a difficult run of drought years and disappointing fleeces Joyce decided to coat the sheep to produce clean fleeces free of grass seeds and without sun bleached tips.
For about 12 years the entire flock was coated with customised covers. Because of the huge difference in the size of the Corriedale sheep from shearing to full fleece, the coats were adjusted with front gussets and larger leg straps. Two tucks were stitched along the back and also into the front gusset and these were opened as the fleece grew. At shearing time these coats were washed and the tucks re-stitched. The domestic sewing machine did a massive amount of work on the kitchen table over these years.
The purpose of the flock was always aimed at handcraft workers. Producing quality spinning wool was always the aim of the breeding program. Joyce’s interest was in individual fleeces and the flock developed a delightful mix of colours to satisfy the wishes of spinners. Joyce continued her membership of the Wangaratta Handweavers & Spinners from the time she started spinning in 1974 until the time of her death. As with the members of the BCSBAA, Joyce found great happiness with the friendships she formed through spinning.
Joyce had grown up on a large property in Gippsland where she developed her empathy with animals. Throughout her life her closest friends were those who had connections with the land and like them she was always open, sharing and supportive.