Obituaries Australia

Lewis Rayner, n.d.

from Pastoral Review and Graziers' Record, 16 November 1955

Mr. Lewis Bluff Rayner, the well-known Merino studmaster of The Bluff, Hallett, South Australia, met his death in tragic manner recently while returning from the Melbourne Royal Show. He was travelling by car with his son, Mr. Max Rayner, when they were involved in a railway crossing accident at Mt. Barker junction in the Adelaide Hills.

Mr. Rayner came from an old established South Australian family who had been breeding Merinos for many years and he was very highly regarded in the industry. He had a most genial and friendly nature and possessed in great degree the facility of exuding friendship and goodwill with both young and old. He was a popular figure during the round of annual South Australian field days in the Merino country and entertained all with generous hospitality.

The Bluff stud was founded in 1874 by Mr. W. J. Rayner by the purchase of 1000 cast-for-age ewes and 25 rams, all of Bungaree blood. It was taken over by L. B. Rayner and Son in 1944 and has grown in importance by selective breeding and the introduction of some record priced rams of Collinsville blood. The Bluff has been on Collinsville blood since 1924 and on at least three occasions has purchased the highest priced ram for the year at South Australian sales. In 1950 Mr. Rayner paid 2550 gns. and created a sales record, while the following year he beat his own record and paid 3100 gns. for the top sire offered by the Collinsville breeders. This record still stands. He caused a stir by putting this 3100-gn. ram in the back seat of a brand new car to return to his Hallett property, but on being chaffed about this he rejoined: "Well why not, the ram is worth more than the car anyway."

The late "Lew" Rayner, as he was known to a wide circle of friends, was 74 years of age and left a widow, his son and partner Max, and three daughters, Mrs. Inez Smart, Mrs. Lorna Nash, and Mrs. Jean Tomlinson. Another son, Keith, was killed in the R.A.A.F. during World War II.