Farewell to cattle trade pioneer

A FOUNDING member of the Northern Territory Livestock Exporters Association has been remembered as playing a significant role in the establishment of Australia’s live cattle trade to South-East Asia.

Alan Woods died in Townsville earlier this month after a long battle with cancer.

He was one of the pioneers of the Northern Territory cattle export trade, having come across from Queensland for a job opportunity in Katherine.

His daughter Susanne Powell, who lives in Jakarta, said in a letter to industry members that although Mr Woods had not been involved in livestock exports for a number of years, he still kept up to date with what was hap- pening within the industry and still kept in contact with many in the industry.

‘‘It is with great sadness that I would like to advise that my father, Alan Woods, passed away earlier this week,’’ Ms Powell wrote.

‘‘I think one of his fondest memories was the presentation dinner at Dunsborough when he was inducted into the Livestock Exporters Hall of Fame. Also . . . becoming a lifetime member of the NTLEA.

‘‘Dad had lived a really interesting and colourful life and was proud to be part of the founding group of NT exporters many years ago, and his involvement with the establishment of the export yards in Darwin. Typically, he wanted ‘no fuss’, so rather than a funeral we are just having a family get-together within the next few weeks.’’

Friend and AAA Livestock Services managing director Angus Adnan said he first met Mr Woods just after Cyclone Tracy, when he was managing the Katherine Meatworks, one of the leading facilities in northern Australia at the time. He then worked at a buffalo and cattle abattoir at Point Stuart.

Mr Adnan said Mr Woods then founded the North Australian Cattle Co and its dealings included shipping buffalo to the emerging markets of West Malaysia and Brunei.

‘‘He was a meticulous, a highly respected man, an accountant by trade and very practical and a mentor to younger people,’’ he said. ‘‘He was a bloody good bloke, a really, really good bloke.’’