Indigenous shearer hurdles literacy obstacle to excel in TAFE wool classing
19/6/2017
Garry Pittman with the help of Kerri Capill, manages to hurdle his subpar literacy skills to be accepted in a wool classer course.
Garry Pitman, despite his aching body problems and in an effort to motivate his son he joined the wooll class that took place at Dubbo TAFE.The Indigenous shearer had dropped out of school when he was 15 having acquired only elementary reading skills and so he decided to spend more than thirty years of his life as a shearer.
His shearing work was based around the Dubbo-Coolah region and he would frequently class wool for property owners which was something that ignited his interest to expand the knowledge on wool classing.
After one of his four children decided to join a TAFE shearing course, he was truly motivated to help.
However, his son was reserved and he took the initiative to do something more.
He joined the TAFE wool classing course himself but beginning was a quite challenging task for him.
Mr Pittman commented that he felt weird the first two times, but he was motivated to continue nevertheless.
However, Mr. Pittman’s education went beyond his wool classing credentials.
As his reading skills were on the level of an elementary school student, he decided to conquer them by taking a foundation language skill course along with his wool classing lessons to improve both his reading and writing skills.
He revealed that this was a very uncomfortable and embarrassing experience for him but he managed little by little to reach a higher level.
Earning wool classing qualifications was only a component of his learning experience--he was later given the title of TAFE Aboriginal Vocational Student of the Year for the western compartment of New South Wales.
Kerri Capill, a wool classing teacher who was engaged with the foundation skills course as well, took notice and really believed Garry’s faithful attempts to improve.
She said that she spend more of her time to help him learn. His determination and willingness to overcome his educational lacks were also noticed by other students, especially through the final term of the course, she said.
She further added that even though he was getting anxious, he was very close to reaching his goal and he had shown a real zest determination not shown by any other student before.
Some obstacles were definitely there but Garry wouldn’t give up. In some days, he couldn’t come to the course without a car for three or four months and it rained outside--at times he would even step in wet but still this wasn’t enough to stop him.
Wool is processed in a shearing shed. Mr. Pittman can’t wait to hang up his handcraft.
Now he has overcome his initial obstacles, Garry aspires to expand his education further and earn TAFE shearing teaching credentials.
Now he combines both wool shearing and classing under the provision of Ms. Capill who supplies the sheep.
She supported that his work is courteous and reliable as the shears have to be high quality with no ridges or cuts so they can be ready for sale.
She also revealed that Mr. Pittman is fully aware of his surroundings and even tried to give commands while he is on the board.
Now after 30 years on the board, one thing he won’t miss is bending over while sweating and struggling with a sheep.
He said that once he hands the handpiece, his struggle is over. And that seems to be a winning experience for him.
