REMEMBERING MURDOCH ROSS

Murdoch Ross was no ordinary covenantor.

Born with cerebral palsy that affected his speech and physical capacity, Murdoch displayed the remarkable tenacity to adapt and get things done.

Against huge odds, and always with a twinkle in his eye, Murdoch will long be remembered piloting his trusty red steed (a Massey Ferguson 28 tractor) around the farm and back roads of Parua Bay. He was even locally famous for once having held up a prime ministerial motorcade.

He packed more into his 72 years, including significant conservation gains, than many of his able-bodied peers.

Among his oft-quoted rejoinders were “obstacles are what you see when you look away from the goal” and “aim for the top and don’t look back”.

Unable to read and write, Murdoch nevertheless took over the family farm. As a teenager he had regularly attended weekly stock sales, becoming an acute trader, and eventually he set up his own livestock company.

He believed himself programmed to become a cattle dealer, like his grandfather Murdoch McGregor, because it was in his blood.

Ross Livestock gained a reputation for selling “anything on four legs”. Cattle, sheep, puppies, kittens and alpacas were grist to his mill. But his only sibling, Jennifer Ross, said his most remarkable trade came from a call on Christmas Eve 2007 when he was asked if he could sell an Indian elephant.

“Not tonight” was his prompt reply, figuring that somebody was having him on. When the elephant was later advertised the phone “rang off the hook”, eventually going to a Waikato bidder.

What Murdoch lacked in physical capacity and formal education was offset by his spreadsheet-like memory. Phone numbers and trading details were simply stored in his mind.

“He loved to talk and the phone was his best friend,” said Jennifer.

The McGregor and Ross families were early European settlers in the Whangārei Heads area with reputations as community minded people.

Murdoch’s memorial service was held in the Parua Bay Community Centre – 30 years previously, Murdoch had led the local hall committee in a huge fundraising drive that resulted in the construction of the centre on land the family had donated.

The Ross family were early QEII covenantors, registering their first block in 1983. When Murdoch died in February this year, there were eight Ross covenants registered and a ninth on the way, collectively protecting more than 80 ha.

Murdoch was particularly proud to have individually protected a network of wetlands and waterways that provided important habitat for critically threatened Australasian bittern and numerous duck species.

Todd Hamilton, manager for the local Backyard Kiwi project, said Murdoch Ross and his family had been long time supporters of kiwi recovery.

“Each year we have a kiwi awareness event on the Ross Family Community Trust sports field, attended by up to 400 locals” says Todd.

“Murdoch was a community stalwart, and this year Backyard Kiwi were proud to name a kiwi in his honour and have his nephew Manaia Ross-Hoskins release it on the adjacent Ross family farm”.

Murdoch taking a call while on his Massey Ferguson 28 tractor in 2004.

Photo credit: Tania Webb

Murdoch the kiwi, named after Murdoch Ross, meeting locals at the release.

Photo credit: Northern Advocate

Murdoch’s nephew, Manaia Ross-Hoskins, with Murdoch the kiwi before it was released.

Photo credit: Northern Advocate