POPULAR and long standing Eidsvold district residents Anthony and Sally Coates will be farewelled at a community function at the Eidsvold Showgrounds on November 11.
The Coates are leaving Eidsvold after the completion of a 10 year succession plan which saw the historic Eidsvold Station sold to Rick and Alice Greenup. The Coates reluctantly leave Eidsvold after more than 50 years living in and being an integral part of the close-knit community.
Eidsvold Station was the first station settled in the district, having been taken up by the Archer brothers in 1848. The original homestead slab building expertly constructed by the Archer brothers still stands after being carefully maintained by the Joyce family and more recently, restored by Anthony and Sally.
Anthony’s grandparents Fitzpierce and Eileen Joyce bought Eidsvold Station in 1905, meaning Anthony’s family have called Eidsvold Station home for more than 111 years. Anthony inherited Eidsvold Station and its associated land holdings Barrule, Boolgal and Belvedere following the passing of his uncle and auny Barney ‘EB’ and Joan Joyce.
As well as being the oldest property in the district, Eidsvold Station is probably best known for the leading role it played in the promotion of the Santa Gertrudis breed throughout Australia. The Joyce family instigated the Eidsvold Station Santa Gertrudis Stud in 1953. It is designated as stud number two. Prior to being sold King Ranch had stud number one. Eidsvold Station holds annual production sales each year and has sold breeding cattle to all Australian states as well as some Pacific islands.
As a tribute to the contribution Anthony and Sally have made to the Eidsvold and district community over so many years, a farewell function is planned for the Eidsvold Showgrounds at 4pm on Friday, November 11.
Everyone who wishes to farewell Anthony and Sally is very welcome to attend.
For more information contact Dot Hamilton, 07 4165 1397, Viv Hutchinson, 07 4165 0887, or Roslyn Payne, 07 4165 1162.
