Obituaries Australia

John Carse, n.d.

from Pastoral Review and Graziers' Record, 16 August 1954

The death occurred on 24th July at Euroka, Nagambie, Vic., of Mr. John Robertson Falkiner Carse, a director of F. S. Falkiner and Sons Pty. Ltd., and eldest grandson of the late Mr. F. S. Falkiner, founder of the company. The late Mr. Carse, who was a well-known pastoralist and stud sheepbreeder, was born in 1884 at The Yanco, near Jerilderie, N.S.W., and received his education at the Church of England Grammar School, Melbourne, and at Trinity College, University of Melbourne. He joined F. S. Falkiner and Sons Pty. Ltd. about 50 years ago. As a jackeroo he worked on several New South Wales stations, including Boonoke North, Perricoota, and Moira, and in 1920 became manager of Moonbria, Jerilderie, N.S.W. When Moonbria was sold in 1951 he retired from active station life but continued until his death to act as assistant secretary of F. S. Falkiner and Sons Pty. Ltd. He was also an executive member of the council of the Graziers' Association of Riverina and a councillor of Conargo Shire.

During the time he managed Moonbria Mr. Carse was associated with Mr. Otway Falkiner in experiments which resulted in today's well-known Boonoke Poll Merino stud. For many years Mr. Falkiner had believed in the advantage of poll cattle over the horned variety and felt that their characteristics could be bred into Merino sheep. In 1933 a number of "sport" poll rams were dropped and the following year eight of these "sports" were found to be up to sire standard. Mr. Carse selected a number of Boonoke ewes, of which 450 were chosen by Mr. Otway Falkiner, to be mated with the eight rams. These were sent to Moonbria for mating and rearing. At the time the project was regarded as an experiment and very little was said about it. However, it was soon proved that a definite poll type had been established. At the first lambing over 60 per cent. of the males were polled and as more sires and dams bred in the poll stud became available the percentage gradually increased. Great interest was caused when the first Boonoke poll rams were offered for sale and today they are sought after by breeders all over the world.

The late Mr. Carse married, in 1920, Miss Joyce Maslin, by whom he is survived, as well as by two daughters, Mrs. W. Murray, Melbourne, and Mrs. Foster Grimwade, Nagambie.