COOMBE, Kenneth Raymond OAM (1932-2019)
Kenneth Raymond Coombe was born 7 February 1932, eldest son of Stephen Raymond and Esther Ella Coombe. Stephen was a bank manager for the Commercial Banking Company of Sydney.
Ken started boarding at Geelong College in 1947, Form V. During his three years at the school, he was on the Library and PFA committees, played baritone in the brass band, and was the vice-captain of the 2nd XVIII Football team. He matriculated in Form VI at the end of 1949.
After school, Ken was a jackaroo at the Booroomooka Angus stud, near Bingara NSW. In 1950 he moved to Bundaberg to work for Fairymead Sugar Company, a large scale beef producer using land set aside for cane sugar production. He became manager of Fairymead’s bull breeding at Avondale Brahman stud.
Ken would have a long career in beef breeding, pioneering testing and publishing reproduction and data. His role would expand with Fairymead’s bull breeding growing to multiple stations. In 1971, Ken 1971 purchased a 1200 acre property Roxborough, just north of Rockhampton. Yet he spent the next 21 years based at AMP Society’s Stanbroke Pastoral Company headquarters, Waverley Station near St Lawrence. He was promoted to General Manager of breeding operations, and in 1986 Senior Breeding Advisor for the company until retirement 1994.
In his retirement, Ken continued pursuing his passions, breeding Arabian horses at Roxburgh and exhibiting them at all the major shows. He was president of Rockhampton Agricultural Society and made a life member.
Ken was also a Board member of Rockhampton Grammar School 1978-2001 (including chairman for 4 years). The school’s Year 11 boys boarding house is named in his honour, “Coombe House.”
When reflecting on his life, Ken said the highlight of his life was getting married and raising a family. Ken was married to Jan and they had five children.
In 1993 Ken was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in recognition of service to the Australian beef cattle industry. He was also presented with the RW Vincent award by the Australian Registered Cattle Breeders Association for outstanding services to the beef industry.
Ken's last report from the College includes this summary from Principal Buntine:
Another sound term. His influence for good among his fellows is strong
Ken passed away 19 November 2019, aged 87 years.
Sources: Australian Brahman Breeders Association ‘Brahman News’ March 2020, Pegasus, The Argus 13 February 1932.