Reigning New Zealand woolhandling champion Gina Nathan died in the South Island this week.
Nathan, who was based in Alexandra for many years, was recognised by Shearing Sports New Zealand as a master woolhandler.
She won her first New Zealand Open title in Te Kuiti last year, completing a 2007-2008 season in which she also took the New Zealand Spring Shears title in Waimate and the Southern Shears title in Gore.
She won the Golden Shears open woolhandling title, twice in 2005 and 2006.
But illness prevented her from appearing at last month's Southern Shears, where she was to have competed in an inter-island match.
