for continuously showing at Sydney would only be matched by Merryville. David loved to show at all the smaller country shows including Deniliquin, Jerilderie, Narrandera, Condobolin, Finley and Dubbo. He saw shows as a marketing opportunity and a way of being able to learn more about sheep. In the 1970s, Somerset enjoyed strong client commercial success when the Condobolin Show Society ran wool production trials with 15 teams from Peppin and South Australian bloodlines. Somerset clients won the trial three times with wethers cutting 19.4lb per head. They also won champion ewe weaner awards at Albury, Hillston and Condobolin shows. David’s most celebrated stud sire purchase was Goolgumbla 8.11, which he acquired for a then Dubbo record of $17,250. Goolgumbla 8.11 proved to be a very impactful sire and extremely fertile, regularly siring 180 to 200 lambs a year. David marketed semen from 8.11, with a son sold by Keith McGrath of Billa Burra Burra selling for $90,000 with none other than David Milthorpe being the losing bidder. In January 1987 there was a devastating grass fire that left an 80km trail of destruction across the Riverina. This impacted several properties, including all of “Somerset” apart from near the house. David spent the day rounding up the sheep, while his wife, Dorothy, protected the house. David ran the farm until 2008 when he had a major medical incident, which saw Dorothy and himself move to his son’s house in Jerilderie, while his son, David Jr, relocated to the farm. Prior to this, David Jr had been driving out each day to help run the farm. The move off the property was difficult for him to adjust to. Retirement was not something David had planned for and he told his children his desire had been to live and work on the farm his entire life. It was particularly devastating when his son David Jr died in 2016 and the farm was subsequently sold. David continued to live at home with in-home support until 2017 when he had to move into the Jerilderie Hospital. In 2019, his wife Dorothy also moved in as a permanent resident. The staff looked after him well and did a huge amount of work for his 100th birthday celebrations in September 2024. David’s passion was sheep and Somerset stud and he would eagerly engage in conversations about sheep. In the house there were many photos of prized sheep and expensive ram purchases. He lived in Jerilderie for almost 90 years and was married for over 60 years. Photo captions. 1– David Milthorpe holding M 785, son of Goolgumbla 8.11, which was purchased by Somerset Merino stud at Dubbo Ram Sales in 1980 for a then record price of $17,250. 2– David sashing Merryville’s Supreme Exhibit at the 1998 Sydney Royal Easter Show. 1– 2– – 61 –
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTI3ODI1