ANDREW Moore. PHOTO SUPPLIED
Following the tragic death of a young Taumarunui shearer in Wyoming last month, the King Country shearing community has gathered together to help to bring his body home for burial.
Andrew Moore died in hospital on February 20, after he was stabbed during an alleged alcohol-fuelled argument with another shearer.
His best friend, Taumarunui man Michael Jefferies, said a $60,000 target had been set to fly Andrew’s body home and assist with funeral expenses.
Michael is confident this will be met, having been boosted by the proceeds of recent charity shearing events: 850 two-tooths were shorn at Mahoenui Station yesterday and a further 1600, shorn at Oio Farms, just south of Taumarunui last week.
“We’d hoped Andrew would be flown home last week but there were some complications which delayed it,” Michael said. “Now we expect he will be home next week
“I’d like to think that he lives on in events like this one. Andrew’s death has been a blow for us all, but it certainly feels better doing something like this.”
Michael said the shearing fundraisers were a blessing as they’d turned grief into action.
In a Givealittle post, Michael said his heart went out to the Moore family for the loss of their precious son, brother, grandson, uncle, and nephew.
“Close to my family, Andrew, aka ‘Moorey’, was very much like a brother to me, he was also affectionally known as “Kill” or Anaru,” Michael wrote.
“For seven years, we lived and breathed shearing, touring around the world, working in Scotland, Australia, the USA, and New Zealand. We also competed at many speed shear competitions in Wales, Australia, and New Zealand.
“I called him my brother, as do many of our friends, he was definitely the life of the party and had such a heart of gold. He was the funniest person I ever met. Andrew was a very loved person throughout the shearing industry, and I know he will be sorely missed by all of us who knew him.
“Thanks to all our shearing family and friends who have been so supportive over the past few days. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.”
According to media reports, Andrew’s girlfriend, Monique Sullivan, has been charged with second-degree murder and is in jail in the rural town of Kemmerer.
Andrew and Monique were shearers on a sheep ranch near Kemmerer when Moore died.
Following the assault, Monique was arrested, with a bail bond set at US$500,000 (NZ$810,000), and required to surrender her passport. She has been charged with second degree murder, which carries the possibility of 20 years to life in prison if convicted.
