From The Stockman’s Hall of Fame, Longreach, “Unsung Heroes”, as submitted by L. K. Blackmore
Lewis Kinleside BLACKMORE, b. 15th February 1917, Sydney NSW, d. 6th November 1995, Buderim QLD
Lewis Kinleside Blackmore inherited `Gregory Downs Station’ from his grand uncles, the Watson Brothers, in 1943 and held it for a period of 36 years when it was sold in 1979. By this time it is believed that it was the longest held property in the one family in Queensland.
During this time Lewis administered the running of the property together with other pastoral interests in New South Wales, employing managers to carry out on the spot management. He made frequent visits to the property using his own private aircraft.
A continuing programme of improvement was carried out over the 36 years. When the property was taken over there were three small bullock paddocks and three horse paddocks. It was stocked with a herd of shorthorn cattle which needed upgrading.
Over the 36 years, over 160 miles of new fencing was erected and the existing fencing replaced. When this was completed the property which was 602 square miles in area was completely ring fenced. Five bores had been put down and equipped with pumping equipment, turkey nest tanks and troughing. Eight open face dams were constructed which, together with the long frontage to the flowing Gregory River, provided full watering facilities.
A constant programme of herd improvement was carried out with the introduction of Santa Gertrudis and Droughtmaster bulls to upgrade the existing stock to better tolerate the climatic conditions and the tick problem as well as producing a better beef animal.
In 1966 a fattening property `Clovernook’ situated 50 miles west of Moura was purchased for the purpose of fattening steers sent down from `Gregory Downs’ and subsequently sold through the saleyards at Gracemere, Rockhampton.
Another property `Cootharaba’ at Kin Kin, near Gympie, was purchased in 1969 and was stocked from `Gregory Downs’. At one time, due to a severe drought at `Clovernook’, steers were sent down for relief and subsequently sent back there when the drought broke.
Subject and Association Description
Ancestors: Grandparents – Andrew Kinleside married Alexia Watson. Edwin Gordon Blackmore married Eleanora Farr. Parents: John Colerige Blackmore married Edith Alexia Kinleside
Married: 1st Marriage – 25th May 1945, Bathurst NSW
2nd Marriage – 6th December 1975, Pomona QLD
Spouse: 1. Louie Bathurst Suttor 2. Patricia Keogh
Children of Louie Suttor: Gregory John and Robert Suttor
Struth it's Blackmores 