Ron Kirk and Lorena Jefferis pass away

Ron Kirk, late of Yenda, Gayndah, died at home on December 25, while Lorena Jefferis, formerly of Elrose, Cloncurry, lost her three-year battle with cancer on December 26.

Mr Kirk, a life member of the Australian Brahman Breeders Association, was described as a pioneer for the Brahman breed.

Former ABBA CEO John Croaker said the Yenda stud, No 44, had been and continued to be a significant influence on the growth and development of the breed.

"Ron was a very early importer of American genetics in the early 1980s and he helped to understand the benefits of genetic diversity," he said.

He complimented Mr Kirk's keen powers of observation and understanding of what was needed in the next generation, saying they were all attributes passed on to he and wife Daphne's four daughters.

All four are highly regarded in the industry today - Roxanne and Andrew Olive, Raglan Brahman Stud, Port Alma, Vicki and Scott Hayes, Yenda V Brahmans, Mundubbera, Sandra and Shane Bishop, Garglen Brahmans, Moura, and Kate and Tony Mortimer, Token Brahmans, Eidsvold.

ABBA president Wendy Cole said Mr Kirk had been a dedicated Brahman breeder who devoted his life to his family and the beef industry.

"As stud No 44, Yenda has been well followed with great success around the show and sale arenas, and Ron's familiar face will be missed greatly," she said.

Mr Kirk's funeral was set to be held at the Gayndah Showgrounds Hall, Spencer Street, Gayndah, on Tuesday, January 4, beginning at 11.30am.

Lorena Jefferis is being remembered as an admired cattlewoman and a beautiful soul.

Announcing her passing, son Grant Jefferis said she had been "brave, inspirational and simply amazing" in her fight against cancer, determined to stay with the family until Christmas.

Many people, ABBA treasurer Brett Coombe included, have described her as the rock for husband Rodger as they developed the Elrose Brahman Stud in north west Queensland.

Mr Coombe said the pair had been well-known pioneers in the region, beginning an on-property sale and undertaking a lot of embryo work.

That was echoed by Mr Croaker, who said they had developed probably the biggest herd of perfectly recorded Brahmans the industry had seen.

"I don't know that I've met a more passionate breeder than Lorena," he said.

"It was a tremendous challenge to have show and stud teams in that environment but they did it.

"I think her cattle were almost like family to Lorena."

Ms Cole said that, together with Rodger, Lorena's dedication to the Brahman breed and the innovations within the industry was second to none.

"The success of the Elrose herd was an example of her expansive knowledge gained during her lifetime and her readiness to accept new technologies as she strived for the betterment of the beef industry," she said. "She will be greatly missed by all that had the privilege to spend time with her."

She was also Queensland Charity Queen in the 1966 Miss Australia Quest.

Lorena is survived by husband Rodger and their children Grant and Brooke.

The service and celebration of her life will be held at 10am on Tuesday, January 11 at the Theodore Showgrounds.

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