Green’s Dictionary of Slang

(Aus.) a rough, incompetent shearer.

1901		Bulletin (Sydney) 5 Oct. 16/3: Surely these bush-workers are as worthy of consideration as the ‘swaggers,’ ‘tomahawkers,’ and ‘loppies’ of N.S.W.
1914		Bulletin (Sydney) 8 Oct. 14/1: He got a wink from the overseer to hang around until one or another of the tomahawkers did something that would admit of the spear. It came next day, and Morgan, the hut comedian, was sacked.