Angus Australia was saddened to hear of the passing of Life Member Lew Smit, well known Angus breeder and original principal of Koojan Hills Angus, Kojonup WA.
Throughout his time as an Angus Australia member, Mr Smit received many accolades for his service.
Most recently he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2013 for service to the livestock industry, particularly involving the Angus breed.
The Smit family ran the extremely successful Koojan Hills Angus stud for 53 years and after careful consideration Lew and his wife Pam decided it was time to hang up their boots and sold the stud and the name in December 2015 and held his 39th and final bulls sale in February 2016 were he set a new WA record average price of $10788 for 52 bulls.
Mr Smit said that Angus were the first breed to use EBVs and that technology helped pave the way towards improved progress.
Lew has also made considerable contributions to Angus Australia, serving as a Director on the Angus Australia Board for over 11 years and during that time held many positions, including Chairman of the Board from 1991 – 94.
In 2008 Lew Smit was awarded Honorary Life Membership to Angus Australia
Angus Australia would like to express its’ condolences to the Smit family and will always remember his involvement and contributions to the cattle industry and the Angus breed.
Pictured top: Lew Smit shows some stud history with Koojan Hills Champion, which was judged Reserve Champion at the 1977 Sydney Royal Show and sold for $5200. Picture courtesy of Bob Garnant
