Lake Everard Station’s New Shearing Shed Built by Magnus Australia
Excited about a New Shearing Shed and Sheep Yards at Lake Everard Station
Building for the Next Generation of Wool Production
At Magnus Australia, we take pride in building Australian-made shearing sheds and sheep yards that stand the test of time. The new seven-stand shearing shed at Lake Everard Station is a great example of how thoughtful design and practical construction can improve life on the land.
The team at Lake Everard Station, led by general manager Jeff Wastell, are looking forward to putting their brand-new shearing shed and yards through their paces next March and April.
Lake Everard Station lies in the Gawler Ranges and covers just under 450,000 hectares, including Yarna Station. The property runs about 12,000 Merino sheep and produces an average wool clip of around 22 micron.
“It was still usable, but in this day and age people expect things to be pretty good, which is fair enough. It was getting a bit tired in places,” Mr Wastell said of the station’s original shed, which had served them well for more than 70 years.
After weighing up refurbishment versus new construction, the decision leaned toward a completely new build — one that would meet modern standards for efficiency, comfort, and productivity.
Designed and Built by Magnus Australia
When Magnus Australia was asked to design and build the new seven-stand shearing shed, the focus was clear: create a space that works for both people and livestock.
“We went with the horseshoe raised board design, but without the actual raised board,” Mr Wastell explained. “After considering all the pros and cons of both designs, we stuck with the flat board. Sloping catching pens were also important. The plastic flooring works a treat with timber catching pens and board.”
The shed layout was carefully planned to improve sheep flow, ventilation, and working conditions for the 14-person shearing team. Large industrial fans were installed on every wall to maximise airflow and comfort during long shearing days.
Built for Comfort, Efficiency, and Storage
The new shed includes a 9m x 9m, air-conditioned lunchroom with toilets, and several mobile wool bins that can be repositioned as needed. There’s ample undercover wool storage — both inside and out — capable of holding about 400 bales.
“The old shed held 200 sheep undercover, but the new shed will hold about 800 sheep undercover,” Mr Wastell said. “Because everything moves so quickly now, it just takes the pressure off everyone.”
Custom Sheep Yards for Modern Handling
Magnus Australia also supplied and built the new sheep yards, designed to hold a working capacity of 1,200 sheep.
“We put the yards on the eastern side of the shed with backline race next to the shed,” Mr Wastell said. “This means in the late afternoon when it gets hot, you are working in the shade. The yards have a bugle race and the loading ramp to suit loading four-deck semi-trailers. They turned out a treat. It’s a lot better for trucks.”
The positioning and layout of the yards were chosen to streamline livestock movement and improve safety for handlers, demonstrating how thoughtful planning can enhance efficiency in Australian sheep operations.
Long-Term Partnership Built on Trust
This isn’t the first time Lake Everard Station has worked with Magnus Australia. The relationship began when Magnus refurbished another shearing shed at Hill River Station near Clare.
“They did such a great job. Brendan from Magnus is a great bloke. To me, that counts a lot,” Mr Wastell said. “The work that their contractors do is great. They are so easy to work with and get along with, which makes a difference. I would highly recommend Brendan and the team from Magnus Australia to anyone in this line of work.”
Supporting Australian Agriculture and Manufacturing
For Magnus Australia, projects like Lake Everard Station are a reminder of why Australian-made design and manufacturing matter. Every shearing shed, sheep yard, and rural farm shed we build supports the backbone of the agricultural industry — hardworking farmers and station managers across the country.
From concept to construction, Magnus Australia remains committed to delivering high-quality, custom-built rural infrastructure that helps producers work smarter, safer, and more efficiently.
Mr Wastell originally spoke to Stock Journal, and the article is available at https://www.stockjournal.com.au/
