Obituaries Australia

Herbert Veness, n.d.

from Pastoral Review and Graziers' Record, 16 August 1957

One of the best known and highly respected stock agents in Australia, Mr. Herbert P. Veness, died suddenly at his home at Double Bay, Sydney, on 17th July.

He was born at Camden, N.S.W., in 1889, being a son of Edward and Sarah Veness, and after completing his schooling in 1909 went to Oondooroo Station, in north-western Queensland as a book-keeper. He left there in 1912 to take over the secretaryship of Edkins and Co. Pty. Ltd., stock and station agents of Winton, Q., and nine years later he purchased the business. From then onwards he traded under his own name until 1949, when he sold out to the Australian, Mercantile, Land, and Finance Co. Ltd.

In 1950 Mr. Veness moved to Sydney, and until reaching the retiring age acted in the capacity of pastoral adviser to the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co. Ltd. Then he set up his own office as a pastoral consultant, which business he successfully conducted at the time of his death. He was also a foundation member and director of Australian Meat and Grazing Co. Ltd., and a member of the local boards of advice of the Scottish Australian Co. Ltd. and the N.S.W. Land and Agency Co. Ltd.

The late Mr. Veness was a keen follower of horse racing. and most kinds of sport, and he will be remembered for his ever-readiness to assist his neighbour irrespective of his walk of life. His integrity, knowledge, and sound judgment of pastoral matters enabled him to build up one of the best stock agency businesses in Queensland, and also assured him of a wide circle of friends throughout Australia.

In 1938 Mr. Veness married Miss Phyllis Speedy, of New Zealand, and is survived by his widow and two daughters.