Obituaries Australia

Charles Ayrey, n.d.

from Pastoralists' Review, 16 November 1908

We regret to have to announce the death of Mr. Charles Ayrey, which took place at his home at Warranooke, near Lubeck, Victoria, on the morning of 12th November. Mr. Ayrey was a native of Victoria, and had gained considerable distinction as a breeder of stud Merino sheep, he having to all intents and purposes founded the well-known Warranooke flock. He was born in the Western District in 1842, and was educated at Geelong and the Scotch College, Melbourne. When about twenty-three he bought an interest in the Warranooke property, which he afterwards acquired entirely, together with Minnieboro Station, near Stawell, and Mooralla Station, also in the Western District. Seized with the importance of having a high-class stud flock, Mr. Ayrey almost as soon as he went into Warranooke purchased several good Tasmanian rams and ewes, chiefly from Bellevue and Scone, and it was on this basis that he built up the flock. He himself always superintended the breeding, and it is owing to his judgment that the stud has reached its present high standard. He was also a breeder of racehorses.

For some time past Mr. Ayrey had been in indifferent health, and had been living more or less in retirement in Melbourne. About ten days prior to his death he went up to Warranooke to attend to some business. He had a sudden seizure at four o'clock in the morning of the 12th inst., and passed away almost immediately.