Obituaries Australia

Robert Clarke, n.d.

from Pastoral Review, 16 May 1918

By the death of Robert Clarke, manager of the Bolinda Vale Estate, Victoria, the Shorthorn breeders of the Commonwealth have sustained an irreparable loss. He went to Sydney for the show and sales, but was taken ill on the Sunday before the show, and had to be removed to a private hospital, where he received the very best of medical skill, but it was of no avail, as he passed away on the 17th April at the ripe old age of 76 years. His wife and one of his daughters, Mrs. Warren, were with him at the last. He had been on Bolinda Vale for nearly seventy years, and had served three generations of the Clarkes, viz., W. J. T. Clarke, Sir William Clarke, and lastly Sir Rupert Clarke. He was a man most widely known and respected, and among the Shorthorn breeders was known as the Grand Old Man. He had a striking personality, and his advice was sought by many young breeders. The success of the Derrimuts to-day is mainly due to him, as he stuck to them in the days when Shorthorn cattle were a drug in the market, and many valuable herds were dispersed. He was also most particular in keeping the pedigrees of the cattle on Bolinda Vale.