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Hugh Claude Pennefather (1863–1951)

Hugh Pennefather, n.d.

Hugh Pennefather, n.d.

from Pastoral Review and Graziers' Record, 16 March 1951

Mr. Hugh Claude Pennefather, who died at his home, Ardsley, Berwick, Vic., on 18th February, was a wool valuer with the Australian Estates Co. Ltd. for many years, but was perhaps better known to the pastoral industry as one of Australia's leading sheep classers.

He was born at Brighton on 29th October 1863, being a son of the late Captain Daniel Pennefather of the 40th Regiment of the English Army, and following his schooling joined the wool department of Messrs. Hastings, Cunningham and Co. Later he went over to the Union Mortgage Co., which today is known as the Australian Estates Co. Ltd.

In his early days Mr. Pennefather came under the guidance of that grand old man of sheep and wool fame, the late Jonathan Shaw, who was entrusted with the building up of nearly all the Western Victorian and Western and Southern Riverina flocks. During this period Mr. Pennefather arranged the wool exhibits in the Australasian Wool Court, held in connection with the Centennial Exhibition of 1888.

Mr. Pennefather was chief wool valuer for the Australian Estates Co. Ltd. for well over 20 years, and when he retired from that position to concentrate on his own expanding stud sheep classing business he was retained by the company for all their stud sheep classing work. In about 1930 he retired from classing to reside at Ardsley, but after an absence from active work for 13 years he went out again in 1942 and 1943 to carry on the sheep work for one of his sons, who was then away with the fighting services.

The Australian sheep industry owes a debt of gratitude to Mr. Pennefather for the sound practical help given to many of the country's leading studs over so many years. It is worthy of note that a large number of our present day classers owe their skill to his very sound tuition.

Mr. Pennefather was also a keen follower of the hounds with the Melbourne Hunt Club and always enjoyed the various runs.

He was predeceased by his wife in 1949, but leaves a surviving family of two daughters and four sons.

Original publication

Citation details

'Pennefather, Hugh Claude (1863–1951)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/pennefather-hugh-claude-807/text808, accessed 29 March 2024.

© Copyright Obituaries Australia, 2010-2024

Hugh Pennefather, n.d.

Hugh Pennefather, n.d.

from Pastoral Review and Graziers' Record, 16 March 1951