always unpredictable markets to end up making a profit. Craig’s agronomist, James, said he always enjoyed coming to see how Craig’s crops were progressing, because if James was having a down day, Craig’s positive attitude would give him such a lift,” Graham continued. “My brother Ross told me Craig was a very good manager of all these cropping challenges. From Ross, this was high praise indeed.” Craig was a devoted family man and proudly wore the title of “King of the Kids” among the family. Son Ashley fondly remembered him setting up swimming holes, complete with a diving board, or building cubby houses and teaching them new games. “One day he even taught us the art of ‘catching shrimps in ya jocks’,” Ashley recalled. “All the kids found this hilarious and so did Craig, until he actually caught one.” “He tried to teach us how to fix things and solve problems. There was always something to fix for someone,” Ashley delivered in his eulogy. “Even a five-star hotel room would need something tightened or adjusted.” All of Craig’s major loves began with the letter “C”. He would often say to Caroline, “The three things I love all start with C. Coke, Cheezels and of course you, dear”. Alongside his revered work with the Willandra Stud, Craig was also deeply embedded in the Jerilderie community, serving as the secretary for the town’s Apex branch for many years and was the long-standing deputy captain of North Coree and Bolton Rural Fire Brigades. “Craig will be sorely missed,” RFS Group Captain Jerilderie, Andrew Browning, said of his colleague and friend. “His passing has had an immense effect on the Jerilderie community. The level of shock and sadness across all sectors of the community gives an idea of the level of esteem with which he was held. He was a loyal and caring friend with a fantastic sense of humour and was always a sensible, practical sounding board for issues or problems.” Craig is survived by wife Caroline, sons Ashley and Angus, daughters-in-law Ellen, Heidy (dec.) and Rachelle, grandchildren Rowan and Hazel, Charlotte and Eliza, and Marion (who became the loving and caring mother of the Heath children). 1– Photo captions. 1– The Heath family – Angus, Caroline, Craig and Ashley. 2– Craig Heath (left) with son Angus, granddaughter Charlotte and father-in-law Ross Wells. 2– – 57 –
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