APDA Life Member and past president

31 January 1937 - 20 May 2022

An extract from his Eulogy courtesy of John Jasper

“He was well respected for his knowledge and ability for sheep assessment in the industry and was invited to judge at many shows throughout WA and also judge at the Perth and Adelaide Royal Shows. He also judged other breeds at those shows, particularly South Suffolks, which he had a soft spot for as a breed, having had a stud of them before he started breeding Poll Dorsets. He was on the WA State PD Committee for well over 40 years from the late 60s though to recent years taking on roles of Chairman in 1974 to 1976 and as treasurer from 1977, until he retired from the Committee.

lan was elected to the Australian Poll Dorset Council in 1975 and served there with distinction for 20 years as one of two Western Australian elected Councillors. In that time on Council, he was on many sub committees always making a valuable contribution. He was elected President of the APDA Council in 1981-83 a position he took on with great enthusiasm in times when there was a lot of turmoil in the Association. lan handled it well, always with fairness and common sense at the forefront of his decisions.He was made a life member in 1996 of the APDA in recognition of his outstanding services to the breed in all areas. lan was only the 6th person to receive such an award in the Associations 42-year history at that stage.

lan always enjoyed showing livestock at the Perth Royal Show. Starting with helping his uncle, the late Merv Reynolds, with his large and successful exhibitions of pigs and sheep of many breeds.He started exhibiting Poll Dorsets at the Perth Royal in the mid-seventies and had many successes, winning both Champion Ram and Champion ewe on a number of occasions. I am sure he got a lot of pleasure out of his wins, but because of his humble modest nature, and apart from a wide grin, he appeared to take it all in his stride.

His interest in the Perth show continued after lan stopped showing sheep. He stepped into the role of section steward for the Poll Dorsets. A position he worked tirelessly in, before and during the show, keeping the event running smoothly.

lan was always modest when he won with his sheep at a show, but he always showed more enthusiasm when he was able to share the win with his fellow competitors.No where better was this the case than when he bred a Poll Dorset ewe, he called Show Girl. The reason for this name will become fairly obvious as I tell the story. Showgirl or Greyhome 74 of 93, her registered title, was born in 1993. She was an outstanding ewe with a lot of size and muscle and

structurally as good as you could wish for. lan of course, being a good judge of sheep, recognised how good she was and so exhibited her at the Wagin Woolorama in 1994, where she was awarded Champion ewe, Supreme Poll Dorset and Supreme all breeds Champion. Quite a feat for a ewe to win a supreme award as rams generally dominate winning of this award. Buoyed by his success here lan set his sites on the Melbourne Royal Show later in that year. In those days, the mecca of sheep meat breed shows.

The rest is history as Showgirl won the Champion Ewe and all breeds Grand Champion ewe ribbon as well, a feat that hadn't been achieved by any Western Australian Poll Dorset before or since. This was a great achievement for the Greyhome stud in winning such a prestigious award

Not satisfied with that lan returned over the Nullarbor to Cunderdin with Showgirl in the back, where they rested her up for a few days before heading off with her to the Perth Royal Show.

Like before the rest is history. Showgirl was awarded Champion Poll Dorset ewe and for the third time awarded the Supreme Champion Poll Dorset of the show.

lan was well regarded among his peers in farming as an innovator and early adopter of new technology and was always willing to share his experiences whether successful or otherwise.

He was a tireless worker at what ever he took on whether it was for himself, his family, friends, or community. In doing so he built a reputation as a very good farmer and an excellent citizen in the Cunderdin area and beyond. He held is family in the highest esteem, worshiped his wife Isabel and his 5 daughters, as most of you who knew lan, would attest.