29 July 2025The Royal Agricultural Society of Western Australia proudly announces the induction of Mrs Kathleen Lovelock into the Agricultural Hall of Fame for 2025.
With over five decades of service to the beef cattle industry, Mrs Lovelock has been a pioneer in Australian Brahman cattle breeding, a passionate educator of young stock handlers, and a powerful advocate for biosecurity and sustainability in WA and beyond.
Her leadership roles have included:
- President of the Australian Brahman Breeders Association (ABBA)
- Executive Member of the Pastoralists and Graziers Association of Western Australia (PGA)
- Delegate to the Cattle Council of Australia (CCA)
- President and long-serving member of the United Beef Breeders Association of Western Australia (UBBA)
- Key contributor to the Royal Agricultural Society of Western Australia (RASWA)’s Junior Cattle Judging and Cattle Committees
In recognition of her outstanding voluntary service and advocacy, Mrs Lovelock has received numerous accolades, including Life Membership of ABBA, RASWA’s Inaugural Volunteer of the Year, and multiple state awards.
Speaking on the honour, Mrs Kathleen Lovelock said:
“I started farming with my husband in 1972 with the import of two Brahman bulls from the Northern Territory to improve our commercial crossbred herd and from there, it just grew. People used to say Brahmans weren’t quiet, but I believe we had the quietest Brahmans in Australia. I could draft a yard of 40 bulls and not worry about my back, that’s quiet cattle.
“This recognition came as a total surprise. I’m very, very pleased, thankful, and chuffed about it. My advice to young people is to get involved early – start with local country shows, take part in young judges and parade competitions. It’s a great stepping stone into the Royal Show and into agriculture more broadly.”
Her induction was confirmed by an Independent Selection Committee comprising highly credentialed and respected figures:
- Mrs Kath Finlayson, a former ABC Rural Woman of the Year and Chair of the Goldfields-Esperance Development Commission, brings deep regional leadership experience, Professor David Lindsay AO, an award-winning researcher and Emeritus Professor of Agriculture at UWA, is widely regarded for his groundbreaking work in livestock reproduction,
- Dr Ken Michael AC, a former Governor of Western Australia and civil engineer, has held extensive senior roles in public service and infrastructure,
- Mrs Teresa Rocchi, a long-standing RASWA volunteer, is celebrated for her decades of dedication to agricultural show development and rural youth engagement, and
- Mr Richard Offen, a prominent historian and former Executive Director of Heritage Perth, is known for his work preserving and promoting WA’s cultural legacy.
The Committee independently assesses all nominations against set evaluation criteria and operates entirely separate from RASWA governance, ensuring a transparent and impartial selection process.
The Agricultural Hall of Fame celebrates individuals who have shaped WA’s primary industries through enduring contributions. Mrs Lovelock stands tall among them, her legacy felt across stations, saleyards and showgrounds.
This impact was especially clear in the rise of Brahman cattle across northern WA. After founding a stud with her husband in 1972, she championed the breed’s suitability to tough conditions and helped producers meet the needs of a growing live export market. Her “Don’t Miss the Boat” competitions, judged by Indonesian buyers, forged early trade links that remain vital today.
She also played a key role in promoting Brahman beef internationally and spent more than three decades with RASWA encouraging young people to engage with the beef industry, often through hands-on competitions and education.
The official induction will take place later this year, followed by a celebratory luncheon and unveiling of her portrait in 2026.
ENDS
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