When it comes to challenging gender bias, it’s hard to imagine a better example than Chloe Dann.

Working on Churchill Island has allowed Chloe to pursue a dream to work with animals, and in the process challenge her own, and other’s preconceptions, about what a woman can do.

The blacksmithing, sheep-shearing, whip cracking, working dog-wrangling Phillip Islander has amassed a loyal Instagram following, and plenty of young fans through her daily demonstrations on Churchill Island.

Of all her roles, she said shearing provided her with her biggest challenge, and greatest rewards.

Part of the job at Churchill Island included a daily shearing demonstration, so Phillip Island Nature Parks sent Chloe off to shearing school.

“Shearing is quite difficult to learn, it’s like choreography with unwilling dance partner,” Chloe said.

“If you get it wrong, you might get kicked in head.”

At the school, she was one of only two girls, and at 27, the oldest of the group. The majority of her classmates were boys aged 15 to 18.

“It was one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done,” she admitted.

“I had a lot of self-doubt. It’s such a physical thing, and you get to the point where you can’t feel your back. You’re in agony when you’re learning. I kept thinking, I can’t do this, I’m not strong enough, but once you get through that, you come back with a renewed determination.”

She said she quickly became addicted, describing it as therapeutic.

“You start to learn what the pattern is, where your feet need to go.”

Now a fully trained shearer, last year she worked in various sheds around Victoria.

“I travelled with a team and I was the only female shearer, although there were other women – wool handlers and wool classers. I was never treated like a girl. It was so equal, and it felt like I was with a team of big brothers.

“That was one of the nicest surprises. I expected it to be a bit sexist, with guys making inappropriate comments, but I didn’t have any of that.”

She said young women coming into shearing is transforming an industry traditionally seen as a male stronghold.

“International shearers weren’t able to come to Australia due to Covid, so there’s been an influx of young people into the industry, getting chances they wouldn’t normally get. There are so many female shearers out there, all shearing 200-300 sheep in a day. They’re just as good as the boys.”

For Chloe, mastering sheep shearing has had an impact well outside the shearing shed.

“When I’m presented with a challenge now, I don’t think, I can’t do that. I work out how to do it. There’s a sense of pride as I head around my duties, knowing I’m stronger than I thought I was.”

That new-found confidence has helped her master other skills including black smithing, whip cracking and handling the working dogs, as part of the Churchill Island farm’s daily demonstration.

“With smithing, it looks quite skilful, but once you heat up the metal and you have the right tools, you can do anything with it. It’s like playdough.”

The reaction from children is her favourite part of the daily demonstrations.

“Kids will ask how I learned to shear a sheep, and it’s inspiring when they get excited about it,” said Chloe.

“They really like the whip cracking; they think it’s the coolest thing. It’s so loud, it does sound tough and scary and a lot of parents are excited about their children seeing a girl do something different.”

She hopes she can inspire other women and girls to think outside the square when it comes to following their passions and careers.

“Hopefully it shows you can do whatever you want. You don’t have to stick to gender roles.”

Her advice is for young girls to do whatever they feel like doing, and not let their self-doubt limit them.

“Sometimes the biggest barrier is yourself. Do what makes you scared. Nothing good comes from your comfort zone. If you feel a bit terrified, you’re probably going in the right direction.”

Follow Chloe on Instagram: @chloetheshearer