A Culcairn mother says she never imagined her farmer-boy, five-year-old son would become a star internet sensation.
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The short video of shearer-to-be Charlie Dunn working on his pet lambs went viral this month, attracting national and international attention.
Charlie’s mother Donna Dunn said it was all very overwhelming.
“It’s all been very weird,” Mrs Dunn said. “It all happened so quickly.”
The family has since been busy fielding calls from news outlets, local and abroad.
Mrs Dunn said her husband – who didn’t use social media – was blown away by how fast the story had travelled and how far it had reached.
The small-time legend entertained TV viewers across the country this week following an invitation to appear on regular morning show Sunrise.
The mother of two said she and her husband had shielded their son from the negative and ill-informed comments, instead focusing on the great feedback from older generations.
“There’s a lot of older farmers starting to get worried as they see kids playing games and never getting outside,” she said. “They say it’s heartwarming.”
Mrs Dunn said her son’s schooling years were going to be a nightmare as the kinder student’s mind was already set on farming.
Even at a young age, she said he was very serious about his toy cows and lambs.
“He knows what he wants to do,” she said.
“He already hates school – doesn’t see the point of it.”
Charlie said he began shearing his teddy’s when he was two and has since progressed to pet lambs.
An enthusiastic “Yay” could be heard when his mother said ewes would soon lamb again.
“I like shearing the good sheep,” Charlie said.
“I don’t like shearing the naughty sheep.”