Ashby, Mr G.

Mr TRELOAR (Flinders) (15:21): I rise today to pay tribute to one of the icons and stalwarts of South Australia's rural and pastoral industry. Recently, Graham Ashby, of Gulnare, passed away, after a lifelong contribution to livestock, farming, sport, community and his family. He had had a busy and fulfilling life and, sadly, was taken ill. In the last few months, he suffered and battled with leukaemia and died at the age of 78, just a few weeks ago.

Few people have had a greater passion for Merino sheep and shorthorn cattle than Mr Ashby, and he was one of the industry's most successful stud breeders and one of the great livestock marketers. In fact, he was carrying on the family tradition, being involved in the early days in a partnership established by his grandfather trading as W.B. Ashby & Sons. The tradition continues because his sons and grandchildren are continuing with the love, breeding and sale of stud livestock. Throughout his life, he formed many enduring friendships right across rural South Australia and Australia, and even overseas. His contribution to the genetic makeup of the flocks and herds in South Australia, across the nation and, once again, even overseas, has been considerable and significant.

He judged, first, as a 19-year old at the Wudinna Show which, as it happens, is in the electorate of Flinders, and he quickly gained respect amongst his peers and went on to judge sheep and cattle at every royal show in Australia. Further to that, he officiated in the judging in Argentina in 1987 and 1988 and in Scotland in 1989. Breeding stock, whether it was sheep, cattle or horses, he said was always about the three Cs—constitution, conformation and consistency. It was not just about being the best but about being consistent.

As well as a life spent farming and breeding, Mr Ashby was also a talented footballer, playing country footy for Gulnare and then Gulnare-Redhill, where he played and coached five premierships in 12 years. He also spent three seasons playing league football for North Adelaide from 1962 to 1964. He came down to Adelaide as a relatively mature footballer and was selected in the state squad after playing just five matches in the South Australian National Football League. He played in the 1963 grand final, which was a highlight for him even though they lost, because for a country boy to play in front of 55,000 people was quite an experience.

He also was a very good cricketer, playing for many years for the Gulnare cricket club in the Rocky River Cricket Association. He was a member of the Gulnare CFS and the Gulnare Bowling Club, where he played for 30 years.

I first met Graham when I arrived in Adelaide to go to boarding school. Graham's son Tom was in the same year as me. We were young lads, wet behind the ears, fresh in town and we became firm friends and we have stayed friends ever since. It was my privilege to attend Graham's funeral a couple of weeks ago. In striking up a friendship with his son Tom, it was not long before I was invited up and was staying weekends at a beautiful property called Bundaleer, which lies between Gulnare and Spalding, which was the home of the Ashby family and home of both of their Shorthorn and merino studs.

Families grow and evolve and eventually W.B. Ashby & Sons was dissolved and they went on to form their own family company. They always valued their ability with stock. The funeral was held at Gulnare and many hundreds of people from around the state gathered in the church. Graham will be remembered as a passionate and well loved man. He was passionate about his livestock, about nature, about his farm, about his sport, and about his town, his family and his friends. Vale, Graham Ashby.