Page 4 - Newsletter2021a15_080d54505bc44aa3b8390344a67b6f8a

Vale Bill Mildren - under legendary studmaster Otway Falkiner.
Bill then secured the overseer position on Cooinbil, near
wool industry mentor Coleambally, in 1965 and where he married Neridah.

(The Land newspaper 6 Jul 2021, 7 a.m by Stephen Burns) During that period Scott was born in 1966 and Jane in 1970,
each in Griffith.
In 1974, Bill took on the stud overseer position at Haddon Rig,
Bill Mildren, who died on 9 June, 2021, in his 81st year is being Warren: and ambitious to further his association with Merino
remembered throughout the wool industry as a gentleman and sheep, Bill aged 37 commenced his career as a professional
a wonderful mentor to those who were fortunate enough to sheep classer, based in Warren, where he started a Ram Motel
come within his orbit. preparing rams and ewes for show and sale.
With his death, Bill's knowledge of Merino sheep and his con- He was passionate about Merino sheep and always looking for
nection with many of the great sheep breeders of the past will positive improvements he would often quip - you can't learn to
be preserved by his many protégé's including Angus Munro. be a sheep classer from a book or any tertiary education.
"We have lost a massive link to the past and wealth of
knowledge to our sheep industry," he said. It is knowledge learned from experience and Bill was fortu-
Another who gained from his association with Bill and paid nate in having many mentors throughout his career, which in
tribute was Chris Bowman, former manager Uardry, Hay, and part underscores his willingness to pass on his knowledge.
current sheep classer who recalled Bill's absolute commit- Scott Mildren recalls his father was always happy to help and
ment to those he worked with. provide a positive attitude to those young people with an ar-
"Bill's experience gained over 65 years in the Merino industry dent interest in the wool industry, and especially through the
was invaluable and his knowledge of marketing and promotion 'dark time' after the floor price was removed.
was second to none. His enthusiasm and positivity were con- in 1976, Bill was nominated the inaugural secretary of the Mac-
tagious, and particularly inspiring for the many young people quarie Merino Field Day committee, alongside an old mentor
he helped along the way with their careers. He always looked Norman Volk, manager of Raby who was the president.
to the future, recommending the adoption of practical technol- As his career horizons expanded, Bill moved his family to
ogy to promote the Merino and Dohne breeds", he said. Dubbo where he added to his workload by taking on the stud
Bill's brother Joe also noted his willingness to share his stock agent's position with AML&F.
knowledge with anyone who wanted to learn. He was proud of the number of rams he would collect for the
"Many of these people are now leaders in the Merino and various sales and he held the record at the Dubbo Ram Sale
Dohne breeds today," Joe said. for having penned over 450 rams for AML&F.
Bill and Neridah's third child and second son Jamie was born
William Landsborough Mildren was born in Townsville, QLD, in Dubbo in 1978.
on 3 August, 1939. As his classing network extended mostly across the Riverina
A war baby who grew up on Eulolo Station, McKinlay, QLD, and Victoria, Bill moved his family to Wodonga, where the chil-
where his parents Ned and Vivienne managed for the Collins dren also had the opportunity for better schooling.
family, Bill's schooling commenced in 1945 with correspond- Among many of Bill's clients, Rodger Mathews thought Bill
ence lessons supervised by his mother. was a very special type of person who taught him about the
Wendy recalled we are all fortunate to have known Bill - if it right skin which grows the best wool for his Borambil Poll
was not for the care of his dog, Joy, he may not have made it Merino stud, Corowa..
to the age of 2. "He had an amazing memory and travelling with him was in-
Living at Eulolo outside McKinlay, the story goes that Bill ven- spiring," Rodger recalled.
tured off with Joy unnoticed by anyone and reached the bore "We would be driving through SA and as we passed by proper-
drain, flowing with very hot water. When he was found his ties he would say - I classed there or I sold rams to that place
clothes were ripped and torn where Joy had obviously kept - and when we came to a road with a little sign post, he would
him safe by pulling him away from the drain. often say - turn here, this is a shortcut."
He was sent away to boarding school at Charters Towers aged But most of all, Rodger held Bill in high esteem for his passion
nine and later aged 13 years he attended Brisbane Boys Col- and wealth of knowledge with the talent to pick the right skin,
lege as a boarder for two years before he was schooled at and for his interest in the next generation.
Thylungra, Quiplie, where his father had been appointed man- "Bill was so proud of the Merino industry and his association
ager for the Australian Estates. with the older breeders, he was keen to pass that affection to
Bill completed his education at Scots College, Warwick, QLD, the next generation."
where he was the SP bookmaker for the school and acquired a
nickname of 'Scoop' for his ability to tell yarns. Angus Munro met Bill when jackarooing on Uardry in the early
Upon leaving school, he attended the Quilpie police station to 2000's but through his father Ian and uncle Hugh, his family
be tested for his driver's licence, where Bill was asked if he connection was older as they all knew each other from grow-
could drive - to which he replied "How do you think I got ing up in Queensland.
here?". "Over the last two years we have spent a lot time with the
The Thylungra homestead, centre piece of the 400,000ha handing over of some of his NSW and Queensland clients as
sheep station was 126km from Quilpie, and it was not unusual he was starting to wind down into retirement," Angus said.
for bush kids to be able to drive from a young age. "Bill was always a true gentleman, showed a great enthusiasm
In 1957, a career with Merino sheep seemed the logical course and passion for improving and refining sheep over his career.
for Bill: and with his swag, a dog, some tobacco and a ten "Bill always had an inquiring mind and thirst for learning,
pound note from his father, he took up a jackaroo's position at helping gather his vast knowledge over many decades.
Raby, a Merino stud at Warren then owned by Australian Es- "He once told me you are working for the client and to place
tates. the client as number one.
After three years on Raby and wishing to further his "This over time proved very successful for him and helped
knowledge with Merino sheep, Bill ventured further south to their sheep businesses greatly.
the Riverina to jackaroo on the FS Falkiner and Sons' proper- "Bill had been a great encourager and mentor for young peo-
ties Zara, Wanganella and Boonoke, Conargo. ple in the industry including myself.
On that famous Merino property, Bill was following in his fa- Some good memories with Bill, was the Cont- Next Page
ther's footsteps as Ned Mildren had been a jackaroo there