Obituaries Australia

Harold Gibson, n.d.

from Pastoral Review and Graziers' Record, 16 April 1955

A popular and highly-respected personality of the livestock industry in New South Wales, Mr. Harold W. Gibson, died at his home at Eastwood, N.S.W., last month after a very short illness. Familiarly known as "Gibby" to his many friends in livestock circles, the late Mr. Gibson was actively engaged at the Homebush fat stock saleyards until just a few days before his death.

As a member of the family firm trading as Gibson and Howes, the late Mr. Gibson spent much of his early years at Thorn Hill, in the Muttaburra district, Queensland, where he was employed as a cattle expert for the company. For several years he was also overseer of Brookwood Station, Muttaburra, which was then one of the most notable horse-breeding properties in Australia.

Mr. Gibson left Queensland in 1912 on appointment to the Sydney office of Dalgety and Co. Ltd. He remained with Dalgety's for 25 years, holding the position of senior stock auctioneer practically all that time. He then joined two of his life-long friends, Mr. Wal Lumby and Mr. Keith Badgery, partners of the firm of Shute, Bell, Badgery, and Lumby, as manager of the livestock department. Even after his retirement he continued to be associated with the firm as its fat stock salesman at Homebush.

During the war years Mr. Gibson was in the van of activities connected with the plan for the removal of all livestock from coastal areas in the event of enemy invasion. In this he was closely associated with the chairman of the Australian Meat Board, Mr. J. L. Shute, and other leaders of the pastoral industry. At that time Mr. Gibson also rendered outstanding service in looking after the stock and property of many young Australian graziers who were away on active service.

In his younger days he was a particularly fine tennis player, an able horseman, and an excellent Rugby union footballer. Even after his active days of sport were over, he continued to give loyal support to many clubs and local sporting bodies. He also displayed a keen sense of civic pride in the Eastwood district where he was connected with the Parkes Trust and other municipal movements.

In 1913 he married Miss Alice Craine, who now survives him, as well as a family of three sons, Messrs. Alf, Sam, and Owen Gibson, and one daughter, Mrs. Elizabeth Hughes, of Berrico Station, Gloucester, N.S.W.