TOP SIRE 2025–2026 HALL OF FAME later to inspect the Manderley’s with John expressing that things weren’t going well personally for the family. Several weeks later we were offered the opportunity to purchase the Manderley stud lambs.” The ram lambs were sold on the basis of half share of any sales going to Manderley and half to Roseville, with any retained sires being valued. The ewe lambs were bought outright. This drop was an outstanding group with a high proportion being of special sire quality. Sires such as 912 and 462 are still in the pedigrees of modern Roseville sheep. At the first offering of these sires at Dubbo National two years later, Robert Harding, Glendonald, Nhill, purchased three of the Manderley-bred rams off Roseville, creating both the Purple family and Joh family at Glendonald. In other parts of the dispersal, Keith and Ian McGrath were contacted by a Winchcombe Carson agent to see if they would be interested in shearing some ewes for a “bloke” at Murrumbateman. This was to be very fortuitous as they met John, who was leasing a block at Murrumbateman stocked with Manderley ewes that had come back from Bourke when that partnership had ended. Keith and Ian subsequently were able to purchase 238 special ewes of the different Manderley families, plus two sires. These, along with two additionally purchased Manderley rams, Roseville 858 and Littlejohn, became the basis of the Billa Burra Burra stud with John taking on the role as classer. Other studs to acquire Manderley at its dispersal included Koonwarra, Westray and North Bullagreen studs. The dispersal of Manderley could have been the end of John’s contribution to the stud industry. Instead, it was a pivotal point in his life and for the stud industry as a whole. Because of his friendship with the Evans family at Tara Park, John took on the role of classer. Also managing the matings, he worked in tandem with the talented Rod and Adrienne Evans as they were about to launch as a stud of significance. Early Tara Park sheep showed great success with the influence of the Purple family genetics. They had exceptional bone and coverage, with their ewes in particular winning numerous grand champions at major shows. At Roseville, the young Manderley’s were a special group of sheep with their production significantly ahead of their existing bloodlines. Following their partnership arrangement, John formed a long-standing friendship with Graham and Robert Coddington, which led to an invitation to become the Roseville stud classer. In later years, when Graham and Robert Coddington decided to wind up the family partnership and form Roseville Park and East Roseville, John carried on as classer to both studs. A young Matthew Coddington grew up around John in the sheep yards and continued the relationship when he assumed control of the Roseville Park stud. Today it is considered a significant parent stud with John Williams’ Purple Manderley’s being a cornerstone of that success. The stud’s current day sires’ pedigrees trace back to the original Purple family introductions. John Roberts, Dunbogan stud, recalls his early days. “When the Coddington’s purchased the Manderleys, Robert Coddington invited me over to see the lambs and they were well grown with a bit of skin on them. Over the next few years, we purchased Purple family rams off both the Roseville studs and it seemed a natural progression to employ John as classer for Dunbogan.” John would stay with John and Kathy Roberts, becoming close friends. John admired Williams’ ability to pick skins at an early age, recalling on one visit John picking a ram lamb out as one to watch. This sire went on to be the Mid-State Ram of the Year and a Dubbo champion. John Roberts remarked it was Williams’ hands and ability to pick superior skins that set him apart and he was most alive when in the sheep yards. Breeding sheep for their bright, soft handling wool, high production and good structure, John Williams’ stable of studs RP38– The 1998 Supreme Ram of Australia and Melbourne Sheep Show, and also the Dubbo National Sheep Show Supreme Exhibit, standing here with Graham Coddington, John Williams and Matthew Coddington, who John classed alongside for many years. – 48 –
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