TOP SIRE 2026–2027 VALE Ken McCrabb NSW SMBA wishes to acknowledge Ken McCrabb’s contribution to the Merino industry Ken McCrabb lived with a vigour that could only be described as either flat out or fast asleep, possessing a unique superpower – the art of the power nap. Ken’s work ethic was unquestionable, enduring even in his later years, as those fortunate to know him can confirm. He was not only devoted to his clients but also deeply committed to sharing his extensive knowledge, especially with any young person stepping into the farming world. He would often lend advice to his jackaroos and jillaroos, telling them that there were 168 hours in a week, so there should be plenty of time to get stuff done. On weekends, he would tell them to get up early, so they could have a longer day off. Born in Shepparton on 10 February 1937, Ken was the only child of Harold and Mabel McCrabb. He grew up on a mixed farm at Wunghu in northern Victoria and accelerated through primary school at Drumanure, riding 10km each way on his pony from the tender age of six. Those daily rides often turned into spirited detours and races with his school mates. On his 11th birthday, Ken started as a year seven boarder at Albury Grammar School. By this stage, the family had moved to Cobram East and Mabel was milking eight cows morning and night, separating the cream to help pay the school fees. In 1950, the McCrabb family expanded their horizons by purchasing the original 3000 acres of Avenel at Wanganella. Spending many school holidays with Tom Austin of nearby Wanganella Station, Ken’s love for Merino sheep blossomed. So passionate was Ken, he convinced his father to shift to Merino sheep, leading to the establishment of a Merino stud in 1953, complete with 93 Wanganella Estate ewes with lambs at foot and a Wanganella ram. With this, the seeds of his lifelong passion had been sown. By the age of 16, Ken was ready to get his hands dirty, having completed both his Leaving Certificate and Woolclassing Certificate in his final year at Albury Grammar. After a stint jackerooing at Hermidale, Ken was summoned home where his initiation into the family farm included cutting thistles across the whole of Avenel, armed only with a mattock. In his later life, he would give all his grandchildren a burr hoe each, a nod to his own beginnings. Ken started woolclassing locally, even before obtaining his driver’s licence, and by the age of 17, he was running fourstand sheds. Over the next eight years, he would class sheds part-time in the Scotia belt of western New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania. He would hold his classing stencil for an impressive 60 years. By 1961, Ken realised there was more money in mulesing and became the first mulesing contractor regularly operating in Victoria, south-east South Australia and western New South Wales. He would drive to Bonegilla Immigration Camp near Wodonga and pick up catchers who had just arrived by boat from Europe. They would spend a night or two at Avenel and then travel on to Broken Hill to catch sheep for the mulesing team. Those were the days when five-year-old ewes and wethers were mulesed while being held over a rail. There were three things Ken McCrabb was most passionate about in life: Merino sheep, wool and family. – 58 –
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTI3ODI1