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MEDIA RELEASE: Unified by rare – Guiness record woolcraft challenge shines a spotlight on the rare craft and rare cancers

Forget fast fashion – an unusual event in regional Victoria at the end of March will showcase the painstaking work that goes into creating a jumper, from the sheep’s back to yours.

The International Wool Challenge Back to Back will be held at Tarndwarncoort Homestead (Tarndie) on Saturday 29 March, showcasing woolcraft while also setting out to raise $10,000 for national charity, Rare Cancers Australia (RCA).

Teams of eight will work together to shear a sheep, spin the wool, then knit a full-size jumper to a set pattern. Each team includes a blade shearer, handspinners and knitters.

Tarndie owner and manager, Tom Dennis, said the challenge was a unique test of skill and endurance.

“The Back to Back Challenge is a Guiness World Record event currently held by a Dutch/German team who completed the jumper in under five hours,” he said.

“Last year, teams at Tarndwarncoort finished in 11 to 17 hours – a true feat of endurance!

“To liken this event to a sport, this is a decent challenge perhaps like a marathon.

“There’s plenty of practice, skill development, motivation and endurance required.

“I’m most looking forward to seeing teams hold up their finished garment together – even if it’s at 1am!”

Team members are travelling from across Victoria, including Ballarat, Melbourne, Central Victoria, Geelong and Gippsland to join the fun.

Alongside the challenge, Tarndie will also host market stalls, a bar, food, raffles and shearing demonstrations all open to the public throughout the day – all for a good cause. 

“One [raffle] prize is a blanket that has been handmade by 40 women each contributing a square in a collaborative effort to show their care and warmth,” Tom continued.

“The local teams got behind RCA because, like the rare and forgotten trades and skills we work with in woolcraft, RCA also brings light to the otherwise overlooked people diagnosed with rare and less common cancers.

“A number of our current and previous participants have also received support from RCA.

“Cancer diagnoses are a terrible time for patients and their circle, even for well-known and common forms of cancer, but for those dealing with less clarity it must feel like a challenge too great to handle on your own.”

Donations can be made online at: https://give.rarecancers.org.au/fundraisers/tomdennisptf/BacktoBackWoolChallenge2025

Event details:

Saturday 29 March
8am to late

Tarndwarncoort Homestead
5459 Princes Highway
Warncoort, Victoria