Obituaries Australia

The death occurred on 10th November at Bowral, N.S.W., of Mr. Charles Rendel Westmacott, late of Clifford Downs, Hay, N.S.W., and for many years a prominent grazier in Riverina.

Mr. Westmacott was born in England in 1870, and after commencing a legal career in that country came to Australia in 1896 for health reasons. He gained his early pastoral experience with the late Pat Osborne, of Currandooley, Bungendore, N.S.W., but in 1898 purchased Bethungra Park Station, near Junee, N.S.W., on his own account. He greatly improved this 10,000-acre property and founded a successful Merino stud flock, using Tasmanian blood. Bethungra Park rams won many championships at local shows, as well as top prizes at Sydney. The stud included the entire Melool flock, which was established in 1866, and rams used came mainly from Scone and Esk Vale, Tasmania.

In 1912 Mr. Westmacott subdivided and sold Bethungra Park for closer settlement, and subsequently purchased Clifford Downs, which property he held until his retirement in 1947. He always took an active part in local affairs in his district, and was a popular figure in grazing circles.

His sons, Mr. A. R. Westmacott, of Warrella Plains, Bourke, N.S.W., and Mr. Brian Westmacott, of Henty, N.S.W., and Wodonga, Vic., survive him and are both engaged in pastoral pursuits.