NSW SMBA inducts John Williams OAM to the NSW Stud Merino Breeders’ Association HALL OF FAME.

John Williams’ early career started alongside his father Ted Williams at the Manderley stud, Cooma.
With John Coy as classer, Manderley breeding was based on the celebrated Wonga stud at Jerilderie, with numerous high priced special sires purchased from Mr Tom Cully.
These included Wonga 9.11 “Reprieve” for 2700 Guineas in 1961 and Wonga 7.1, the Grand Champion Strong Wool Ram at the 1969 Sydney Royal Show, for $8000 in partnership with Ken Karsten, Kia Warra, Weethalle. Gordon McMaster’s book “Walk with Legends” rated Wonga 7.1 as one of the industry’s most influential sires.

Assuming full studmaster control of Manderley in the late 1960s, John Williams set in motion some genetic decisions that would make Manderley a powerful impact stud set to influence studs across Australia.
John acknowledged two gifted stud breeders as his mentors – T.G. Culley of Wonga and Claude Bowhay of Buckinbah, St George, Queensland.
Spending a considerable time with Mr Culley, John observed the traits that made Wonga so successful.
Soft, pliable skins on deep bodies and heavy underlines, plus attention to detail in sire selection and joinings – all traits John would use to great effect in his future classing career.
Mr Culley encouraged John in his breeding efforts by lending him a young sire by the celebrated Wonga 9.6, whose progeny were of the highest standing by any measure.
Progeny of this sire went on to win major Junior Champion awards at the Sydney Sheep Show.

Wonga 7.1: The 1969 Sydney Royal Show Grand Champion Strong Wool Ram, purchased for $8000 by John Williams and his Manderley stud, Cooma, in partnership with     Ken Karsten, Kia Warra, Weethalle.	Manderley 3.2 Glamour Boy: The Grand Champion Medium Wool Ram at the 1968 Sydney Sheep Show cut 52lb (23.6kg) of wool.

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