William John (Bill) Peskett, Hillview, Cunnamulla, was the only child to parents George and Kate Peskett. He was born at the Cunnamulla Hospital, June, 17,1940
Bill’s education began with a governess, then he went Nudgee Junior, followed by Nudgee College for a several years, before he returned to Hillview.
Bill and Poss’s courtship possibly started early in life. Poss first visited Hillview at the tender age of three with her father Budge O’Brien, to buy killers. This would have been in 1946 when Bill gave Poss and her doll a lift in his sheep drawn cart.
Bill and Poss were married on June, 9 1962, and the marriage blended two of Cunnamulla’s great sheep families – the Pesketts and O’Briens.
They purchased Murrawondah in 1979, and their first success with stud sheep after this was in 1982 with a ram called Budge.
Budge later sold for a then record price of $2000 at the Charleville Ram Sale to the late Colin Elms, Carra, Augathella.
Over the years the Coban and Murrawondah Studs have made a significant contribution to the sheep and wool industry, and provided many with good genetics for their commercial sheep enterprises.
Both studs dominated in the show ring over the years.
Their most notable success was the polled Merino ewe Lady Lorna. Her success is still legendary in Queensland, NSW, Victoria, and South Australia.
The year of 1990 provided some of the biggest challenges including getting sheep to the shows, due to flooding. That was also the year of Lady Lorna’s successes.
A trailer crate was made and a tractor was used to take the sheep out. Four wheelers were loaded with ports and feed. Lady Lorna was loaded out of Hillview in the back of the Nissan Wagon bound for the Sydney Royal Easter Show.
Bill and Poss achievements with Lady Lorna were recognised by the Cunnamulla Show Society recently with her photo on the front of the schedule for the 50th Interstate Sheep Show, with her achievements listed.
Bill was an active member of the Cunnamulla Show Society and joined the Executive Committee in about 1959.
Bill and Poss were both given life membership to the Cunnamulla Show Society at the 25th Interstate Sheep Show. Hillview won the first wether competition that was held in conjunction with the show.
Horse racing was another interest of Bill’s and he enjoyed both owing horses and attending local races.
The Noorama Race announcer was a no show one year and Bill stood in as the race caller. He went on to call the Noorama Races for a few years, and also called at the Cunnamulla Races.
Bill was the inaugural President of the Cunnamulla Jockey Race Club and a Life Member of the Cunnamulla Diggers Race Club.
The home at Hillview was a place known for its hospitality to anyone from workers, stock agents, shearing teams, ram buyers, friends visiting or whoever the kids and grandkids took there.
It was a place where you could say “I went there a stranger and left a lifetime friend”.
Another family pass time, were the fishing trips Bill loved.
Poss would pack lunch while everyone else packed the boat and handmade fishing rods, then all pile in to the cars and find the perfect spot to settle for the day.
Bill enjoyed having people calling in and stay awhile. There was always a meal and a beer for whoever it was.
He helped all the children and their partners with their pursuits and enjoyed having his grandchildren and great grandchildren around.
In 2012, Bill and Poss celebrated 50 years of married life with a party at the Bowls Club for friends that were at their wedding. Bill greatly enjoyed catching up and seeing people he hadn’t seen in a long time.
Bill had a great love for cooking and was known for his odd recipes that often shined. This is something he has shared with Poss and the rest of his family throughout the years. He was always happy to dirty the dishes, but we won’t say anything about cleaning them.
Even though Bill was in the wheelchair for the last, he still managed to go goat chasing with Poss.
In his last couple of months, Bill had been all over both of this beloved properties, checking out the new fence, supervising the setting of the dog traps, checking the waters, and keeping an eye on the scrub pushing – making sure it was still done his way.
His life was about his love for his family, friends and community. He was laid to rest at the Cunnamulla Lawn Cemetery. Bill is survived by his wife Poss, his children Ann (deceased), Mary, Susie and John, seven grand children and five great-grandchildren.
The Coban and Murrawondah Studs have made a significant contribution to the sheep and wool industry and provided many with good genetics for their commercial sheep enterprises.
- Will Roberts, Victoria Downs, Morven.
- Will Roberts, Victoria Downs Morven and Bill’s family contributed content for this special tribute which was edited by Helen Walker.