AGRICULTURAL show stalwart Patrick Keast will be farewelled at St Joseph's Catholic Church in Junee on Friday.
The Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) councillor and former Agricultural Societies Council of NSW (ASC) president died this week and has been remembered as a committed and passionate supporter of agriculture.
Mr Keast, of Junee Reefs, was president of the ASC from 2001 to 2004.
He had served as vice president from 1995 to 2001.
Current ASC president Tim O'Brien said Patrick Keast had been a very strong supporter of youth in agriculture in particular.
Keast was very recently - in early September - honoured with a life membership of the ASC in recognition of his lengthy commitment.
Patrick Keast joined the RAS in 1976, was elected to the council in 2000 and was on the board from 2009 to 2012.
RAS president Robert Ryan said Keast had taken up several positions with the RAS.
Most recently he was chairman of judging for the RAS; he had also served on the cattle, sheep, veterinary and show precinct layout committees.
"He was passionate about agriculture," Mr Ryan said, and was a man who used every opportunity to ensure that farmers were placed at the forefront of peoples' minds at agricultural shows.
The funeral for Patrick Keast will be held on Friday October 3 at St Joseph's Catholic Church, Junee, at 11am.
