TOP SIRE 2026–2027 VALE Owen “Max” Maxwell Rayner NSW SMBA wishes to acknowledge Owen “Max” Maxwell Rayner’s contribution to the Merino industry He was the eldest of three children, with younger sisters Sue and Sally. Max married Gai on 7 May 1977 and had two children, Sam and Andrew. He cherished the role of “Pa” to four grandchildren – Charlotte, Isabelle, Hudson and Adalyn – and was a proud father-in-law to Olivia and Brooke. Max was a person who needed little introduction. Those who met him found out very quickly who he was and how he was. He was unapologetically honest and disarming. If you had just met him or had known each other for years, he was always the same. When you first met, the honesty was for shock value but as you grew to know him, you realised he was very fond of an opinion. Max focused on excellence in all that he did, whether that was livestock, attire or academia. Sue and Sally recall him having aspirations to become a doctor and matching his studies at Hurlstone for this endeavour. He was destined instead to return home to “Grathlyn” with Max Snr where he focused his discipline on breeding livestock instead. At this pursuit, he would become instrumental in the registration of the Grathlyn Poll Hereford herd in 1970. Max was a true gentleman with a passion for competition. Anyone who attended a sheep or cattle judging event in the southern hemisphere likely crossed paths with him as either a competitor or spectator and would have heard Max’s opinions on the livestock. His love for Poll Hereford shows was unmatched and he never missed a Merino event. Some of his successes with livestock became his fondest memories. At Sydney Royal, winning Supreme Exhibit with “Triumph” and the National Pair as well as the 1978 Australian Supreme stood out as highlights of his Merino career, while winning Grand Champion Bull at Dubbo with “Landmark” also rated highly. As Max got older and could no longer physically hold the stock himself, he really found his place as part of the entertainment and spectacle around the judging mat. He had a knack for making even the “paint drying contest” that is Merino judging more enjoyable. His opinions were always Owen Maxwell Rayner, known to all as Max, was born on 8 March 1947 to parents Max and Molly Rayner. Photo caption. Max and Gai Rayner. – 60 –
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTI3ODI1