While most collectors chase porcelain or stamps, one Broken Hill man has spent five decades amassing hundreds of sheep ear tags from properties across Australia, preserving the stories of stations past and present.
PLAY AUDIO
Many collectors like to hunt for things like porcelain, stamps, or art. Ear tags from dead animals spring to mind less readily.
(Sound of sheep)
NICKY REDL: People love collecting things. I’m thinking beautiful china, stamps, old cars, tractors, even engines. But who would have thought that a sheep’s ear tag could attract anyone’s attention?
Well, let me introduce you to Paul Armstrong. He has been collecting ear tags for the past 50 years. At last count, he had ear tags from 832 properties from around Australia in his possession, and plans to have the biggest collection in the country. For him, each tag tells a story. The walls in his office are lined with frames full of colorful tags that have famous, as well as long-forgotten station names stencilled into them.
Hello, I’m Nicky Redl in Broken Hill in the far west of New South Wales, where Paul’s fascination with ear tags began all those years ago.
(sound of squeaky gate)
PAUL ARMSTRONG: Tags are multicolored, all in different colors or ranges, aluminium, brass, and some aluminium alloy… (continues)
Broadcast on ABC Radio National’s Rural Reporter on November 14, 2009