LAST week the livestock industry in SA lost a true icon with the death of Ronnie Hughes.
The words icon and legend are easily bandied around about people, but Ronnie was a man who fitted these descriptions perfectly.
Ronnie wasn't a high-flying meat buyer, gun auctioneer or stock agent.
He was a stockman and one of the very best of the modern, or any, era.
Ronnie was destined to be involved in the livestock industry - his father was a drover at Gepps Cross and Ronnie left school early to follow the call of cattle, sheep and horses.
The desire to expand his livestock involvement led him to accept positions at Sandringham Station in the Channel Country of Qld and Tieyon Station on the NT-SA border where he developed friendships with George Birchmore and Bob Smith that endured throughout a lifetime.
Ron eventually moved his family back to Adelaide and resumed his life at Gepps Cross.
He worked as head stockman for WM Angliss & Co before starting as a contract drover, a career that would last until his final days at Dublin.
One of Ronnie's enduring passions was horses.
He was an owner and trainer of Thoroughbreds for countless years. His handling skills were renowned, and his self-taught veterinary skills attracted plenty of novices to his door for help and advice.
He was an expert at gelding colts - he did a colt for me years ago.
It was done in the middle of a paddock under a tree.
I swear to this day that the horse was not even aware that he had lost his prize possessions, and the recovery rate was faster than any horse an expensive vet handled for me.
Stories abound about Ronnie. It would surprise many to discover that he was an excellent dancer.
It would not surprise too many to find that the same lightfooted ability shown on the dance floor proved to be an effective base for an accomplished fighter.
For one of the nicest, mild mannered blokes you could wish to meet, he was adept at handling any disputes.
Ronnie always had good dogs. I was commissioned by my former father-in-law many years ago to find him a good dual-purpose yard/paddock dog. No worries, I went and saw Ronnie, explained my needs and he got me a nice Kelpie bitch called Flo. We agreed on the price of $300 - a bargain.
The problem was that on delivery to the farm, Flo did not have the slightest intention of doing any work.
The old bloke persevered for a couple of months without success and finally took the dog back to Gepps Cross after I assured him that Ronnie would honour the warranty.
My father-in-law arrived with Flo attached to a bit of old baler twine and Ronnie commiserated about the dog, promptly gave the $300 back and said "get up" to Flo, who immediately raced up and around the sheep in the race. My father-in-law was amazed by Ronnie's ready acceptance of the dog's failings but more amazed at the dog's willingness to work for a real master.
Ronnie was an instantly recognisable figure in the saleyards. Bib and brace overalls, flopper over his shoulder and an irrepressible grin were his trademarks.
He was adored by his family and despite losing his cherished wife Terry some years ago, lived a full life on his property at Lewiston.
The legions of friends that he made over his lifetime will always remember one of the most accomplished all-round stockmen and genuine good blokes the livestock industry has known. RIP.