There were tears and beers all round last Friday afternoon, when the life of one of Australia's leading sheep breeders was celebrated.
With the conclusion of the Thalabah Merino ram sale at Laggan, the crowd were brought to attention by a shrill whistle, and they cheered when Boof Hall stepped forward with photograph album under his arm and turned to where John Williams was sitting and said - "I am Roger Climpson and Sam Williams, this is your life!".
For those who remember the popular television series, John Williams, affectionately known to family and friends in the Merino world as 'Sam', was quite taken by surprise with the intrusion into his reverie having just witnessed another outstanding sale of Merino rams bred by his family.
And in a neat replay of that television series, family and friends lined up to pay tribute to 'Sam', whose modest words of Merino lore have been respected for so many years.
John Williams would always claim his success in breeding Merinos was a lot of luck; but John Bensley recalled the halcyon days when the Merinos bred at the then Koonwarra stud, took all before them at the annual Sydney Sheep Shows.
"Sam was dedicated to breeding the best and he never liked being beaten," Mr Bensley said.
Wal Merriman couldn't make the event, but he sent a video message.
He reiterated Sam's eagerness to win, but admitted, so did he, and hence their life-long friendship and rivalry was built.
"When I think of Sam I think of a good bloke, a great breeder and a fella who has always been a mentor to me," he said.
"I learnt a lot from you Sam, particularly the way you crossed the Merryville's and the Uardry's and went on to fix a type.
"I don't think there has been any sheep bred better for those 10 or so years when you were at the top; they were virtually unbeatable."
Like many talented people Sam's passion was not confined to one interest with music being his constant throughout his life.
Several Merino breeders recalled an evening at a Dubbo National Sheep Show function when he and two other musical breeders did an impromptu set while the entertainment took a break.
Apparently the reaction was they had wished the band hadn't come back as Sam and his mates were so good.
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