A LIFETIME dedicated to supporting country shows and horse sports was the perfect pastime for a farmer who loved people and animals, enjoyed a yarn and was passionate about the bush.
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The NSW show movement and equestrian community have paid tribute to Coonamble man Sam Johnston for the tireless support and energy he gave to shows, rodeos, campdrafts, picnic racing and show jumping across NSW, but especially the western region.
Norman Samuel Johnston, known always as Sam, died last month after a long period of poor health.
Fittingly he spent his last day enjoying lunch at the Dubbo Show with friends from the Western Group of Shows.
Born in Coonamble, Sam developed a lifelong affection for animals as a child at "Midgee", the family property where he would live and work breeding Merino sheep and Hereford cattle, and later embracing more modern farming practices, until he and wife, Anne, recently retired to Mudgee.
His early education was by correspondence at "Midgee". At age 10, he headed to The King's School where he made lifelong friendships and enjoyed swimming, boxing, shooting, and especially cricket.
Sam had the opportunity to tour the world in 1964, being invited to play cricket with the Australian Old Collegians.
It was on leaving school and his return to the Coonamble district that Sam's community involvement began.
While family and farming were his first love, Sam thrived on the opportunity to be part of community events and organisations, and when it was possible, he relished the chance to take a break from his day-to-day duties at "Midgee".
Across the years he contributed to dozens of local volunteer organisations linked to farming, firefighting, sport or community.
Horses were a passion and Sam was often considered a vital link between sporting administrators and the horse-riding community in NSW.
He was also a fervent supporter of rural youth, and worked hard to encourage and promote the involvement of young people in community and show activities such as junior judging and the NSW Showgirl competition, seeing it as an opportunity to develop skills, leadership and broaden their horizons.
Sam's time away from the farm was spent each year as a steward at the Sydney Royal Show every Easter - a role he started in 1986 and was recognised with a 25-year long service award in 2012.
He was Western Group president between 1987 and 1992, and honoured with life memberships to this group and the Agricultural Societies Council (ASC).
Locally, Sam was recognised with life memberships to the Coonamble Rodeo and Camp-draft, where he had been an announcer since 1968, the Baradine Show, Come-By-Chance Picnic Race Club and the Coonamble Show.
He was also a tireless contributor to the Come-By-Chance Campdraft and a showjumping area steward for the Equestrian Federation for many years.
At the Coonamble Show just three days after his death, Sam was honoured for 50 years of service - before that week he had only missed one other show in his life.
The family has been touched by the generous tributes from the many organisations Sam had been involved with.
A statement from the ASC said Sam was passionate about agricultural shows and equestrian events. "His passion, humour and wealth of knowledge will be sorely missed," it said.
Australian Showman's Guild president Max Laurie made a moving address at his funeral, describing Sam as a true gentleman, able to work with anybody to help make country shows a success.
Sam is survived by his wife Anne and their four children, Belinda, Hugh, Richard and Tim and their families, and his sister, Sueanne Martin.
