Obituaries Australia

Mr. William Wallace McLaughlin, of Whitewood, Nyngan, N.S.W., a member of a family well known in stud sheep breeding circles throughout Australia, died in Sydney last month after a long illness. He was born at Nyngan in 1896, a son of Mr. and Mrs. J. A. McLaughlin, who came to Australia from Northern Ireland.

He attended Newington College, Sydney, and excelled at sport, representing his college in the rifle team and playing rugby in the 1st XV and in the Combined G.P.S. XV. When he finished his schooling Mr. McLaughlin returned to Whitewood, which then was notable for Merino sheep breeding, as well as for its outstanding horses, which were widely sought as hunters, hacks, and also for service in the Indian Army. He decided there was a need for a sire other than a Merino ram with which to cross Merino ewes to produce a good type of crossbred lamb, and as a result the Whitewood Border Leicester stud was established. For over 30 years it was carefully built up by introducing the best blood available, and until it was divided in 1955 it was the largest Border Leicester stud in Australia.

Mr. McLaughlin, who was the brother of the late J. A. McLaughlin, the well-known Merino studmaster of Merryanbone, Nyngan, is survived by his wife, two daughters, and two sons— William Wallace, of Laurel Vale, Wilcannia, N.S.W.; and Ewen Scotland, of Whitewood.