strong and colourful – he wasn’t shy about sharing who he believed deserved to win, who didn’t and his thoughts on how everybody looked while doing it. There’s a saying that if you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life and it’s clear that Max truly lived by this and never worked while he was at a show. Max was a loving family man who was generous with his time, serving on several boards throughout his life. The peak of which was the NSW Stud Merino Breeders’ Association where he served as a councillor for 37 years and was awarded Life Governorship in 2025. Max passed on Sunday 5 October 2025 after a battle with illness. Max will be remembered by family and close friends as a loyal, creative, quick-witted, kind and loving man, and his legacy will live on through his contributions to the community and the agriculture industry that he so loved. Photo captions. 1– Grathlyn’s Bruce Merriman Memorial Trophy-winning group at the 2022 Sydney Royal Easter Show. 2– Max with his 2014 Supreme Exhibit of the Rabobank National Merino Sheep Show and Sale in Dubbo. 3– Max and Andrew Rayner with Grathlyn’s Supreme Champion Merino from the 2014 Australian Sheep and Wool Show at Bendigo. 4– Max with Grathlyn’s Supreme Fleece of the Rabobank National Merino Sheep Show in 2022. 5– Grathlyn’s Supreme Merino Exhibit from the 2014 Australian Sheep and Wool Show at Bendigo, which sold for $25,000 to a syndicate of NSW studs, including Walwa, Demondrille, Hillcreston Park, Conrayn and Merrignee, pictured with (L–R) Patrick Davis, Demondrille, Murrumburrah; Andrew and Brooke Rayner; Brad Wilson, Nutrien, Dubbo; Alan McCormack, Walwa, Gurrundah; Charlie Merriman, Merrignee, Boorowa; Max Rayner and Peter and Jayne Lette, Conrayn, Berridale. 3– 1– 2– 4– 5– – 61 –
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