And his proud mum, Helen, from Cooma, may have provided just the boost to get the 23-year-old, smooth-talking livestock foreman at Merrimba Station, north-west of Warren, across the line.

When her son’s profile appeared in The Land Magazine on December 3, Mrs Burns bought a heap of copies to send to other family members.

Louis – pictured centre in black hat with some of his support crew, the team of shearers working at “Merrimba” this week – is happy enough to endure the odd dig from family and workmates if the support is there to help him reach the top 10.

That would see him heading to the Walcha Cup Carnival on February 13, where the winners will be announced.

He thinks the competition is a great way to make new friends and have a bit of fun and asks, if it’s good enough for movie star, Brad Pitt, to hit the odd headline, why can’t he?

Found hanging out with mates at the pub on weekends or training his beloved working dogs, Louis said although his ideal woman was actress Kate Hudson, he would settle for somebody who was “foxy and a heap of fun”.

The first of two weeks of our Hunks and Spunks voting coverage appears in The Land Magazine this week, with profiles of the first installment of our nominees republished to refresh readers’ memories, along with the official voting coupon.

A second voting coupon will be published in next week’s The Land.

The top Hunk and Spunk are each set to win a prize package valued at $2630, and those who vote for their favourite nominee will also go into a draw for fabulous prizes.

Don't miss the first of two week's voting forms in The Land Magazine January 14.

Click the picture below to check out all this year's Hunks and Spunks!