TOP SIRE 2025–2026 VALE David Milthorpe NSW SMBA wishes to acknowledge David Milthorpe’s contribution to the Merino industry David Milthorpe was born on 12 September 1924. He lived on a farm near Narrandera until he was 11 years old when his father purchased the property “Somerset”, near Jerilderie. The Somerset Merino stud, F. No. 484, was founded by David’s father, Mr D.B. Milthorpe in 1920. David attended Yanco Agricultural High School from 1937 to 1939, completing the Intermediate Certificate. According to a YAHS newsletter, he was top of the class in agriculture, science and maths, and second overall for his class. He was awarded a free year of attendance for 1940 but did not accept as he always wanted to be a sheepman. He had the academic ability to complete the final two years of high school however, with a significant shortage of workers due to the war, he left school and began working on the family farm. David was a YAHS Old Boy, often wearing the school’s signature tie in his later life. In 2013, the Milthorpe family donated $250,000 to the school for academic scholarships to be awarded over the span of ten years – equating to one full scholarship, three half scholarships and math tutoring for senior students each year. At the request of David, the scholarships were named the Dick Condon/Milthorpe Family Scholarships, acknowledging the enormous respect David had for Dick, who was a fellow YAHS student. David married Dorothy in 1960, having met on a tour in Tasmania. She moved to “Somerset”, which was a stark contrast to the North Shore of Sydney where she had grown up. David took over the running of the farm as his parents retired to Wagga Wagga, giving him full control. David and Dorothy had three children, Frank, David Jr and Peter. David and his family exhibited sheep at the Sydney Royal Easter Show and the earlier Sydney Sheep Show for more than 50 years. From 1946, Somerset exhibited for 47 years in a row. He was proud of the fact that, despite being a small stud, Somerset had been able to win three Grand Champion, two Reserve Grand Champion and 44 Champion titles at the Sydney Sheep Show/Royal Easter Show. Somerset’s record Jerilderie stud Merino breeder David Milthorpe of Somerset Merino stud passed away on 28 February 2025, aged 100. – 60 –
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