Kayla Garner of Hay, and integral part of the shearing company Wilshear, is the epitome of the modern mother. Successful and well known in her field, involved and committed to providing her children with the best possible life, and part of a close and large family that lends a hand when they can. Daughter of Lionel and Wilma, and having dynamic relatives such as Libby Eason and Will Miller in that family tree, one could theorise that the nature is indeed genetic. If anyone could say they have it all, it probably would be her. She has lived her life with motivation and drive, earning it for herself wherever she turns. She helps her father Lionel run the family business. She operates as Shed Manager, and also in a wool classing role. She has always been a fixture in the sheds. She accompanied her father Lionel to work every school holiday from a young age. Kayla never failed to succeed and shine in a male dominated industry. Kayla says it has somewhat become a fine art to accomplish all tasks before rain hits, and navigating around floodwaters, but they make it work. She says the days become substantially longer though. Additional travel and sometimes detouring is required. They can already be hours into their day before they can get the tasks at hand done. This ends up dragging the day out consider ably. Her loving partner Hunter is their three children’s primary carer. “I would not be able to do it without him, he is a perfect stay-at-home dad, I am very lucky, he does it all,” Kayla remarked. “The kids are also extremely helpful, which is a huge help.” When water and rain do impact the ability to get to the sheds, Kayla uses that as a much needed opportunity to lesson plan, mark work, and catch up on paper work. Kayla delivers Certificate IV Wool Classing at TAFE HAY. She has always consid ered herself a hands-on teacher. Even before taking on her TAFE role, train ing others in the sheds, and helping wherever she can. “The industry was currently experiencing a shortage of wool classers, meaning TAFE NSW graduates were even more in demand,” Kayla said. Certificate IV in Wool Classing is an 18-month course which qualifies graduates to work as wool classers. Units in the course include preparing wool for sale; classing fleece lines and documenting wool clips. Kayla has been select ed to be a member of an AWEX board (Australian Wool Exchange). This is the way of the future for her industry, in regards to document ing and traceability for the whole wool pipeline. She will bring to the board her experience with the program, and suggest ways to improve or make changes. Another immense love of hers has been martial arts. Although finding the time to devote to this is understandably difficult of late. “The children, Hunter, and myself when time permits, often practise in the backyard. “That is about the extent of it these days,” Kayla said with a laugh. She and Hunter have competed in various places including Dubbo, Bathurst, Ungarie and Orange. Hunter had always been involved in boxing and martial arts, and Kayla’s love for it came later. “I am a very competitive person, I thrive on competition,” she said. “We were living at the back of a dojo; we could not find a rental. “Hunter’s friend offered us the loft at the back of the dojo. “There was a Jujitsu tournament underway when I came home from a day at the sheds. “With no prior experience whatsoever, I was repeatedly encouraged to have a go, told that it wasn’t all that different to wrestling a sheep. “In five seconds, I had beaten an opponent from Spain who was top three in the field. “The next go I had, I tied against a black belt, although I did not know any of this at the time,” she laughed. Her children are involved in so many pursuits in the community. When commended on that with time schedules being so hectic, Kayla remained matter of fact. “We want to build community involvement and for them to feel the wealth of belonging.” It’s clear that this is something Kayla already has in droves. In the midst of the multitude of things already on her plate, she is President of Hay Branch of Little Athletics. She credits her and her partner’s strong sense of community, and also immense help from her family in the positive shaping of her children. “Hunter travels to Sydney for study a couple of times a month. “All of my family work, but always help and sort out work around my kids, so I am beyond grateful,” she said. “Our little family is blessed here in Hay, we have a lot of support behind us. “We also try to get the kids out and about as much as we can. “We recently travelled to the Great Ocean Road and Griffith City Theatre. “We want to expose them to different experiences and teach them that there is a big wide world out there. “They need to see as much as they can, so they can figure out where they fit, and to make some dreams and goals of their own,” she said. She was Australian National Wool Handling Champion in 2013, and has more than 15 years’ experience as a wool classer. At the young age of 34, she has accomplished more than many would in a lifetime. It is so heart warming to see younger generations still blessed with community spirit, and old fashioned family values. Add to that the fearless pursuit of dreams and ambitions, it is truly something to behold. An inspiration for young women now and future generations, hats of to you Kayla, a true role model!
