focusinterview.focusinterview.
FIONA W I L K S
Fiona has multiple world, national and state whipcracking titles to her name and is also well known for her quality leather goods. Heading off to the Australian Titles again this year, Fiona is hoping to win her tenth Ladies Title in a row …
Y
ou probably get asked this a lot – but how did you become interested in whipcracking? My Pop had a property out the back of Wingham; he had over 100 acres. Jim, my father, brought a stock whip home one day, as we needed it to help bring the cattle into the yards when we mustered them. I asked Dad if I could have a go, and it took me three days just to learn how to do the normal stockman’s crack, like the Man from Snowy River style. Once I mastered that routine, I wanted to learn more. Our local horse breaker and Farrier, Steve Brady, came to shoe our horses, and I asked him if he knew any other routines, which he then proceeded to do with a few others. I watched him and then started practicing the routines once he left; I had them down pat before long. Then at the time I was around 9 or 10 years old, the local saddler in Wingham was Roy Prentice. He started a local whipcracking competition where the bottom pub used to be. I competed for the first time and won. I was then invited to compete at the first ever Australian Whipcracking Titles held at the Sydney Royal Show at Moore Park in 1993. I went down with my parents, and I didn't even have a pair of whips that were the same length or close in weight. That year I got third, which I was stoked about. I went again in 1994 with the same whips and got dead last; a lady with stitches in her fingers beat me. I said to Dad that this wasn’t right; it went on who they knew and not your ability … and from then on I dedicated myself to be the best! I knew I had to invent new routines, so they had no option but to give me first place! That same day I met a man called Bob Green. He came up to me and we spoke about different things, and then he told me I had the best style 4
manning-great lakes focus.
of whipcracking he'd ever seen. Bob wanted to years? start up a whipcracking club - which he did at QLD Ladies Whipcracking Champion and NSW Glen Innes. Ladies Whipcracking Champion. Mum and Dad and I travelled 4 hours every I have won 14 Ladies Australian Titles - 9 in 6 weeks to be a part of the Northern NSW a row – and I’m going for my tenth this year. I Whipcracking Club. have won 9 Open Australian Bullock Whip Titles I got new whips, and I would practice against the men. every lunch break. I would also practice every I have won three World Open Whipcracking afternoon and on weekends, as well as travelling Titles held in Las Vegas, Nevada against United to Glen Innes. I did this for a whole year and States, England, Germany, Czech Republic, went back to the Australian Titles in 1995 and Japan, New Zealand, Canada and also against won my very first Australian Ladies Whipcracking another Australian male in 2000. Title. Eighteen times northern NSW Who are THE WHIPAROOS ... Whipcracking Championships; and what are they most 6 times overall well known for? champion highest We are well THE WHIPAROOS are point scorer Northern known for our me and my father, Jim. Championships; , demonstrations We came up with this 3 times ACT which we have name, as we needed a Open Bullock Whip e id w performed in a performance name when Champion; es ac variety of pl we went to the United 4 times ACT in Australia and States for the World Titles. Ladies Whipcracking .” lly na io at intern We are well known for Champion; plus many our demonstrations, which other titles. we have performed in a wide Since winning the ladies, I variety of places in Australia and have been undefeated, and I’m internationally. the first person to win back to back We do a 25 minute performance involving World Titles and to have won three World 10 routines: a bullock whip routine; followed Titles overall. If you were to break it down into by accuracy using straws held in different each World Title section, it would be 9 World positions; a cigarette and match, where Dad Titles – I have won all 3 awards 3 times: holds the match and match box and I strike the – The John and Vi Brady Whipcracker of the match using my whip, then I put the match Year award x 3 out and take the cigarette out of Dad’s mouth; – The Don Nevile-Smith One Whip Style and and a disc, which I crack off Dad's tongue. We Technique award x3 then do some rope spinning and whipcracking – The Don Nevile-Smith Two Handed Style and at the same time, a ribbon act where Dad spins Technique award x3, all held in Las Vegas at the the ribbon around and I try to crack it into Wild West Arts Club. little pieces until it is all gone, and juggling and You’re competing at the Royal Easter Show whipcracking. this year. What are you hoping to achieve? What titles have you claimed over the I hope to win my tenth Ladies Title in a row
“
and fifteenth overall. I have invented a new routine which I haven't got a name for as yet, so this will improve my chances of winning, as I have won the ladies by over 100 points in the past. What are your future plans? I’ve had the privilege of judging numerous whipcracking events, even judging the men and other sections at the Aussie Titles numerous times. I have now been judging and setting courses for Stockmen’s challenges at the Snowy River Muster Festival at Jindabyne, as well as performing. I would love to get more involved in this area and travel judging these types of events around Australia. You’re also well known for crafting leather goods. What items do you make? I have a general leatherwork/whip making business which I have been doing for quite a number of years, and I sell my handmade leather items all over the world. I make a wide variety of items, from kangaroo two tone plaited whips with fancy patterns or names plaited in them, latigo work whips, bridles, reins, assorted belts with kangaroo lacing or hand embossed belts, kangaroo plaited belts, bull whips, all sorts of items and repair work and some saddlery repairs as well. Depending on what type of whip you’re after, it can take a day to one week to make a whip – especially with names and fancy patterns, plaiting two colours together to plait the name or pattern and ranging from 8,12,16 strands or more. How can people find out more about you? If anyone is interested in my leatherwork, whipcracking lessons or THE WHIPAROOS, they can contact me via my website: whips. ontheinternet.com.au or my mobile: 0409 536 188. Thanks Fiona.