Obituaries Australia

The death occurred early this year at the age of 68 of Mr. John Ferris Kirkpatrick, of Cleveland Station, Mungindi, in north western New South Wales. A native of Larne, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, he came to Australia in 1910, and with the exception of the war years devoted the whole of his life to the pastoral industry. He was recognised as a sound, progressive manager, and his generous and genial personality endeared him to a wide circle of friends.

At the outbreak of World War I Mr. Kirkpatrick enlisted in the A.I.F. and saw service in Egypt with the Light Horse and later in France with a Motor Transport unit. On his discharge from the army he returned to the land and was with Messrs. Meares and Pearson at Quantambone Station, Brewarrina, before going to Cleveland in 1923. He stayed there only a short while on that occasion and then managed several properties in both New South Wales and Queensland.

In 1928, after his marriage to Miss Helen Scriven, he returned to Cleveland and assumed the management of the property. The rest of his life was devoted to improving the station, and he built up a flock of sheep which for many years have been widely sought.

In his district Mr. Kirkpatrick was an enthusiastic supporter of all progressive movements, including the P. and A. Association, the Mungindi R.S.L., the Presbyterian Church, and the various sporting bodies and race clubs. His wife died 12 years ago, but he is survived by one son (John) and one daughter (Margaret), both of Cleveland.