The Consummate agent
It is with much sadness that we advise members past and present that one of the universally admired gentlemen of our profession Mr Bob Blair has passed away peacefully in Glen Innes at the age of 87.
Bob Blair was an institution within the New England pastoral region, particularly in the Glen Innes District who commanded the respect and loyalty from the agency and wider rural fraternity over many years.
A Dalgety man through and through, his distinguished career extended across a lifetime in the employ of Dalgety, Dalgety Winchcombe FGC, and later Landmark companies.
He was the archetypal stock & station agent, a person of integrity, not only an earnest safe pair of hands, but someone in whom you could trust and look up to.
He was the copybook branch manager, an exceptional negotiator, mentor to many young agents who were “sent to Glen Innes to learn something” and a fine citizen.
Bob was born in Lindfield on Sydney’s upper north shore in 1938. He was educated at St John’s College Woodlawn on the Northern Rivers of NSW.
He began his career at Dalgety Ltd, Grafton and was fortunate to work under the great Mick Moy (later Moy & Darby).
He was transferred to Head Office in Sydney and received the call up to the position of the bookkeeper at the strong Walgett branch. This position in finance gave way to an appointment in livestock sales and his success in that role saw him promoted to branch manager at Wilcannia.
A move to South Australia followed, with Bob taking up a manager position at the Millicent Branch. His incredible prowess saw this branch become the number one branch in South Australia during his tenure.
In 1974 during the devastating cattle crash, Bob was transferred to Glen Innes as branch manager where he excelled exponentially once more, despite being in one of the most competitive environments for livestock transacting.
Perhaps it was his fastidious and unwavering service to his clients as well as remarkable ability that he held the honour and unique accomplishment that every Dalgety branch he managed, reached the Number 1 position in the State.
Highly respected livestock and rural property agent, longstanding friend and colleague Mr Jim Ritchie said, “when I first came back to Glen Innes at Winchcombe Carson in 1975 with Mick Doolan I immediately admired Bob, he was a man who lived by the highest of values and I regarded him as being the epitome of a gentleman. He was the calmest and most complete agent I have ever known. Bob was a great agent, he was a leader, he set the standards for all of his staff to follow and they followed his lead and that is why so many people respected him.”
In 2002 Bob retired as branch manager of Glen Innes, but was enticed back a few months later in the specialist field of rural property sales. In a short but meaningful two year stint he transacted a number of signature rural properties including Stonehenge Station and Furracabad Station which he sold three times. His decision to hang up the meticulously polished boots in 2004 marked the completion of a great career,
The list of agents who were fortunate to serve under Bob Blair in the branch at Glen Innes and build great careers is vast and impressive. These include Dan O’Brien, Rob Toole, Chris Hassell, Geoff Leedham, Richard Eldershaw, David Miller and Murray McIntyre to name a few.
Notwithstanding his accomplished career, Bob Blair was a first class human being, a man of distinction, a man of candour and remarkable family man.
Australian Livestock & Property Agents Association Ltd should like to extend our deepest and personal condolences to Bob’s dear wife Shirley, daughters Jenny, Sally, Jane, sons in law grandchildren and all who loved this exceptional person, our friend.
We pay tribute to Bob who was the embodiment of the consummate agent.
Following a private cremation with family only on Friday 10th October there will be a Celebration of Bob’s life and achievements at the Town & Country Club, East Avenue, Glen Innes from 1.30pm. All are welcome at this function and hopefully a few stories will be told and enjoyed by everybody.
