John and Annette Henwood from "Fossil Downs" Receive award
This is the first time that Life Membership has been awarded to a commercial breeder
During the 2015 DN Bull Sale held in Rockhampton last week, Life Membership of the Droughtmaster Society was awarded to John and Annette Henwood from "Fossil Downs" in Western Australia. John, wearing his distinctive cloth hat, is a familiar figure at the annual sale generally sitting in the front row of the centre of the selling complex, with former Elders agent, Ed Chambers beside him.
This is the first time that Life Membership has been awarded to a commercial breeder which is an honour in itself and demonstrates the remarkable contribution that the Henwoods have made towards the development of the breed in Western Australia.
Following is the citation (written from information supplied by long-time friend, Pam Spann) honouring the Henwoods.
"Over the past 30 years two wonderful people, Annette and John Henwood from Fossil Downs Station in the Kimberleys, have been buying bulls from the Droughtmaster National Bull Sale. Many others may have been purchasing as long or longer but there would be none who have tackled the journey across Australia, from west to east, in their own vehicle year after year.
Over time they continued to lift their sights and purchased bulls which put extra length and muscle in their steers and could at the same time handle the Kimberley conditions which aren't always kind.
The Fossil Downs cattle are a credit to their sire selection over the last 30 years. John and Annette are justifiably proud of their cattle which draw compliments from all parties in the Live Export supply chain and are keenly sought after by overseas buyers.
From what was a herd of Kimberley Shorthorn some 20 years ago, the Fossil Downs cattle are now some of the very best Droughtmaster cattle you could hope to see.
John and Annette, you have done this breed proud and we hope that the new owners carry on in the same vein.
All Droughtmaster Members wish you both good health and the happiness and trust your retirement is all you wish it to be - even though those who know John well, will know that it won't be retirement - just the next chapter in what has been a life well lived.
In recognition of the long term significant contribution John and Annette have made to our breed the Board has great pleasure in awarding Life Membership to you both."
