Obituaries Australia

John Mackay, n.d.

from Pastoral Review, 16 March 1916

The late Mr. John D. [Dight] Mackay, of Leeholme, Kelso, N.S.W., whose death was referred to in last month's Review, was the second son of the late Mr. George E. Mackay. Born near Beechworth, Vic., and educated at the Melbourne Grammar School, at the age of seventeen years he took charge of Nangunyah Station in Riverina, and managed it for his father for several years, until he started out for himself.

In 1878, in partnership with Messrs. W. G. and F. E. Dight, he purchased Bulgandramine, on the Bogan, N.S.W., which property he managed, and in time became sole owner of. He built up a flock of Merinos there, which, though not a stud, was well and favourably known in western New South Wales; three years ago he sold the station, and bought Leeholme from the late Mr. George Lee, M.L.C. His hobby was Shorthorn cattle, and at Leeholme a fine herd was established, good aristocratic blood being introduced from time to time. The late Mr. Mackay also started a Lincoln stud of sheep on the same property, and besides having his New South Wales interests, was part owner of Headingley, a big cattle station near Urandangie in far western Queensland, adjoining Lake Nash on the Northern Territory and Queensland border.

"Rolf Boldrewood" was a contemporary of the late Mr. Mackay, and part of his famous Robbery Under Arms was written at Bulgandramine. Mr. Mackay has left two unmarried sons and three married daughters.