Cart

Loading

Walmsley, William Arthur (1933-2019)

Arthur was born at St George in 1933 on his family property, Maronga. Schooling was at Toowoomba first at Prep and later at Toowoomba Grammar. On completion of secondary college, Arthur returned to the family property and after a year signed up for National Service in 1952.

An opportunity presented itself to join the stock and station agency business Queensland Primary Producers, Primaries in St George (year not known).

After a period he transferred to Longreach branch (year not known), which was the hub centre for the Primaries business in the west. Arthur worked under the legendary Gordon Reid, who was a great mentor for a significant number of successful agents throughout Queensland and Gordon knew what was happening not only in his Longreach branch, but across the state.

One thing that Gordon didn’t know was that his recent appointment had a keen interest in one of his office staff, local lass Patricia Page. They married in June 1959 and had over 60 wonderful years together producing four children Jenny, Allison, Sue, David and their extended families.

From 1960 to 1966 Arthur managed the Aramac branch. In 1966 was appointed to the position of Roma branch manager a position he held until 1980 (14 years). During that period there was continuing development of the Roma saleyards, in the early days different companies had their own little set of yards on the site as it stands today and buyers would move from one set of yards to the other as the day progressed in a decided order of sale.

During the tough years in agency and agriculture, the 1974-75 beef crash, Primaries requested Arthur take long service leave. During that period money was so tight you had to get permission to leave town to visit clients and Brisbane office had to approve the purchase of new tyres! Arthur didn’t stay idle; he secured a job at a basalt quarry near Mitchell for 10 weeks, which was owned by close friends Alan and Joyce Miller.

Arthur took an active participation in the Roma community, joining Rotary and of course involvement in one of his great pastimes, Thoroughbred racing. He served on the Roma Turf Club and the Roma Picnics committee, raced a number of horses successfully with John Chandler, Glentullock Injune.

In 1980 Arthur was transferred to Primac Brisbane head office, first as finance manager and later as Queensland property manager (year unknown).

Arthur retired in 1998 and continued to get to both Doomben and Eagle Farm races most Saturdays with Patricia and was a season ticket holder with the Brisbane Broncos.

Arthur did not have the best of health during retirement, although most would not have known, as he kept those type of issues to himself. He spent a number of years as full time carer for the love of his life, Patricia.

Arthur passed away on Sunday, June 9, 2019 quietly and peacefully surrounded by those he dedicated his whole life to, his family.

On Arthur’s passing you hear him referred to as being honest and respectful, a man of high principles and caring. What is unique to Arthur, was that those words were used to refer to him during his working life by clients, work colleagues and opposition agents.

* Last updated 21/01/2021

If you have more to add to Arthur’s profile / history please post it to the Primac Gurus group.

Source: Brendan Wade, Queensland Country Life

Posted in : Primac Gurus