Former Elders Goulburn auctioneer Tony Dowe writes autobiography

But as an 80-strong crowd at Elders, Goulburn heard on Friday, Mr Dowe was blessed with a quick wit and dry humour that often cut through the tension and fast pace of stock selling and endeared him to many.

He became legendary as a stud-stock auctioneer in the region over his long career, including 20 years in Goulburn with Elders. On Friday, December 6, the now Sydney man launched his 104-page book - 'Sale-O! An autobiography of Tony Dowe, auctioneer,' compiled by his long-time friend, Sue Talbot.

Born in Tamworth and starting his career in the stock department of the New England and Northern Cooperatives Association (Nenco Limited), Mr Dowe shifted to Tamworth and then Elders, Goulburn.

ALSO READ: Packing up some pampering for people in drought

"I remember alighting from the train at Goulburn Railway Station in March of 1961 and walking the one block up to the stock office; it was blowing a gale and freezing cold even though it was only March," he wrote in his book.

Not long after, he met his future wife, Dimity Cope, a "boisterous blond who worked in the local pharmacy." As he related, it changed his life and following their 1962 marriage they had two sons, James and Mathew. Dimity, whom Tony nursed following a stroke, died only a few years ago.

Mr Dowe said he fell into auctioneering in the late 1950s after being unexpectedly handed the 'hammer' at a store cattle sale in Tamworth.

"I'm not often stuck for words...however my mouth flew open and the words came out," he wrote.

ALSO READ: Green Wattle Creek bushfire burns in the Upper Lachlan Shire

He told Friday's gathering that he never had any professional training but all his practise came from "talking his way past Dimity at the front door on a Friday night."

In Goulburn, he built up a wide circle of contacts and sold for prominent sheep and cattle producers like the Maple-Browns, the Crokers from Taralga, the Merrimans of 'Merryville Stud, Boorowa, the Bells of 'Wandara,' John Kensit fron Narrawa and many more.

He credited Sir Walter Merriman with giving him a start. Sir Walter had asked for him specifically to sell rams at Yass Showground, thereby beginning a 60-year association with the family.

Mr Dowe had a stint as Elders' branch manager at Cooma before returning to the firm's stock department in Goulburn in 1966. He became branch manager here in 1972 and stayed until the early 1980s. During that time Mr Dowe ran a radio program, 'Pastoral News and Views' on 2GN, occasionally tackling controversial subjects like the future of Goulburn saleyards and woolselling in the city.

A young Steve Ridley, now Elders Goulburn branch manager, met Mr Dowe in the late 1970s.

"We always worked hard and played hard but Tony always made sure we got back in the next day and did the job properly," Mr Ridley told the crowd.

"...He's a great auctioneer, and still is without peer and he's a great judge of livestock and people."

ALSO READ: Smoke sends air quality into hazardous range

Mr Ridley told The Post that his friend established strong associations, incuding the Litchfields of Hazeldean, Cooma, for whom he sold stock over four generations. Many of these contacts attended the book launch, including Wal Merriman, Jim Litchfield, the Bells - taking time out from a family wedding - and the Croker family.

He sold stock at the Sydney Royal Easter Show for over a long period and fetched huge prices.

"His memory on pedigrees, names, people and prices is just outstanding. It was part of his success and he's had a big influence on a lot of people," Mr Ridley said.

In his foreward to the book, Jim Litchfield said Mr Dowe's skill at the podium was legendary.

"Tony had the uncanny knack of knowing just how much he could get away with (either verbally or financially!) and on the very rare occasion it went too far, his humour, good manners and sense of fair play defused a situation that could have otherwise ended very differently," he wrote.

ALSO READ: A new bridge on the Wollondilly River Walkway has opened

Roger Hann, formerly of Courallie Herefords, Bellata, and a past Australian Hereford Society president, launched and wrote a foreward for the book.

"It was a wonderful privilege to work with him," he said of his longtime friend.

"He broke the mould and there won't be another like him."

Mr Dowe 'retired' from Elders in 1996 but continued working as a private consultant to the company. He performed his final auction in 2005 at Hazeldean.

Friday's gathering also celebrated Elders 180^th birthday.

Did you know the Goulburn Post is now offering breaking news alerts and a weekly email newsletter? Keep up-to-date with all the local news: sign up here.