Page 136 - Hereford Magazine 2022

of people have health issues or problems in their lives, but interest in the latest crop of calves. Still with a sharp eye, she
you’ve got Colin’. quickly picked out the top calves and made specific comment
When their son Darryl finished school, he worked several on each of them.
jobs including mustering before returning to the farm in 1980. Originally 3600 acres [1457ha] the property had an additional
In 1984 he met Nicky and they married the following year. 2000 acres [809ha] added over the years from three separate
Colin and Fay’s daughter Sharon worked in banking before purchases. A couple of years before Colin died a water scheme
meeting her future husband Laurie Paterson from the Waikaka was put in; he believed this was a waste of time as the stock
Hereford Stud. Sharon always had a special relationship with could drink out of the rivers. Darryl said development is still
her mum. She fondly remembers laughter they shared over continuing ‘as much as authorities and legislation will allow!’
the years and the many hours spent working alongside Fay in Waiau has always needed two to three staff and in the past
her garden. eight years they have all been family members, with Darryl
Sharon and Laurie first met at a Southern Districts Hereford and Nicky’s children now both on the farm. Succession is well
Breeders Club function. Colin was there at the club’s inception under way with the farm now trading as Lillburn Station Ltd
and was one of the instigators of the now infamous Southern with Jamie and Kate about to become shareholders.
Districts annual bull tour that was originally started by the The one reoccurring theme I found when speaking to
horned breeders. people about Colin was that he was a very proud man. Colin
Horned Herefords were the dominant breed originally and Fay were both extremely proud of all they had achieved
bought in from England. When Colin and Fay took over over the years at Waiau, and proud of their stud. They were
Waiau there were only a couple of polled studs in the Otago/ very generous hosts, happily welcoming visitors into their
Southland region, whereas now the polled animals have home and proudly giving anyone the full farm tour. The
become the majority. There has been a decline in demand for development of their Herefords from where they began in
horned cattle in general due to changes in farming practices 1976 was immense; their contribution to the breed throughout
and legislation, particularly with the requirements for animals the years has indeed been significant. It must have been
being transported and killed. In recent years this has seen pleasing for the couple as they reached their twilight years to
polled Herefords being brought into Waiau and a downsizing see their children and grandchildren all sharing their love of
of the horned numbers; the stud now comprises 80 breeding farming and passion for the Hereford breed. Something else
cows of each. Darryl recalls taking his mum for a drive around both Colin and Fay would have been proud of.
the farm only a week before she died. Fay showed great

134 HEREFORD MAGAZINE Year 2022