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Weathered hands grip traditional hand shears, carefully navigating the dense, creamy-white fleece of a Merino sheep. The intimate close-up reveals the skilled artistry of blade shearing, a time-honored technique that has defined Australian wool production for generations. Thick, calloused fingers delicately maneuver the metal shears, cutting close to the sheep's skin with practiced precision, releasing waves of soft, lanolin-rich wool that accumulate in plush layers. The rich, earthy tones of the worker's hands contrast against the pristine white fleece, telling a story of generations of agricultural expertise passed down through family and community. Al Mabin's photographic signature captures the raw essence of rural Australian wool production, highlighting the connection between skilled labor and the continent's legendary wool industry. Every detail speaks to the meticulous craft of shearing - a quintessential moment in the agricultural landscape of Victoria's woolsheds.