Historical information

George Cumming was given this vest by his brother, Eric Cumming (also known as Hamish Cumming).

George was a shearer and did well on the competitive shearing circuit, especially during the early to mid 1950’s. George shore on properties with teams in Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales and Tasmania. He won the Victorian Shearing Championships, and came second in the Australian Championships in 1956.

Later, George became a shearing judge and judged at many shows including the Royal Melbourne Show and The Golden Shears in Euroa and New Zealand.

Eric was a professional runner and in the early 1950’s was running overseas. While in Scotland for the Powderhall Gift in 1952, he brought the vest for his brother George. Eric won the Powderhall Gift in 1952, becoming the first overseas athlete to win the prestigious event, and the first and only Australian to ever win.

The vest is an all wool garment in natural colours, made in Fair Isle, Shetland, Scotland. Although still in very good condition, it got quite a lot of use, with George’s wife Lyn making repairs to the neck band with 8ply Totem and 5ply Blue Bell crepe wool.

Physical description

Knitted sleeveless vest featuring geometric patterns in tones of cream, brown, grey and orange.