JAMES WILSON DRAPER

By Helen Trustum

yards. The Department years of age. With the downturn in dairy farms and the selling of small farms to the infux of city escapees the demand for the sales dropped. The weekly sales in Bangalow thus became fortnightly. Those days at the saleyards were enjoyed by all, where everyone would stand around for a good old yarn amongst the cattle bellowing. Even a surprise attack from a vealer which inficted Wilson with four broken ribs, did not deter him from attending the saleyards.

He was fnally allowed to put up his sign and build up a small business of selling calves and pigs every Wednesday. Wilson, along with Bishop & Company would take it in turns who would sell frst and every Wednesday. Each week Wilson would turn up with his lunch basket of sandwiches, tea and cake for the buyers and sellers. The cake was usually a sponge roll, triple layer cake or a marble cake. Two thermos’s fasks of tea would also go, with spare mugs for anyone that wanted a cuppa. Everything would come back after the sale and daughter Alison can remember washing it all up ready for the sale the following week. Tom Wills did the ear tagging at the saleyards for Wilson and Kevin Jarrett supported him.

In June 1999 Wilson had a stroke. After rehabilitation he returned to the saleyards. Many of the caring people that attended the sales were worried for his safety, but Wilson loved the saleyards, the hustle and

His favourite saying was “Support your local man”.

Sadly, Wilson lost is wife Evelyn Marion on away on 11th April 2000 aged 84 years. They are both buried in the Clunes Cemetery. of Lands suggested to Council that Wilson be given the same privileges as Bishop & Company.

On 8th June 1994 Wilson sold the business and semi- retired but kept on his love of auctioneering and operated his business from the front verandah of his home which was right in the middle of the retail precinct of Bangalow. When the local newspaper interviewed him on his retirement, he said he would still be attending the calf and pig sales also visiting local farmers despite his 78 bustle of livestock and talking to the farmers.

13th July 1995 aged 77 years and Wilson passed

The fnal sale at the Bangalow Saleyards was held on the 21st June 2000. End of an era. Each year at the Bangalow Show a trophy is given to the exhibitor, the owner of the Supreme Champion Cow and Calf in the Beef Cattle Section, honouring this great man, Wilson Draper. This way Wilson’s legacy lives on.

Ref: Alison Draper (daughter) January 2001.