Respected Northern Territory cattleman and industry leader John Underwood AM has died, aged 77.
Mr Underwood's legacy is his immense contribution to his community, family and the northern cattle industry.
The Underwoods bought Riveren Station in the Territory's Victoria River District in 1956 and for nearly six decades Mr Underwood and his family developed the station from scratch, putting Riveren on the map and providing inspiration for his wife Terry Underwood's book In the Middle of Nowhere.
A message at the weekend from son Patrick Underwood said: "On behalf of the Underwood family, it is with great sadness that we announce the loss of our father John".
"While we know he is now in greener pastures, we will miss him so very much. He was an amazing father and a true man of the land.
"We were so privileged to grow up in the middle of nowhere with Mum and Dad."
Audio Player failed to load.
Try to Download directly (5.77 MB)
Tribute to NT cattleman John Underwood
Play
Press play then disable your screen reader. Use space bar to pause or play, and up and down arrows to control volume. Use left arrow to rewind and right arrow to fast forward.
A founding and life member of the Northern Territory Cattlemen's Association (NTCA), John Underwood was the inaugural chair of the Katherine branch and NTCA president from 1990 to 1993.
He represented the Territory's interests for both the National Farmers' Federation and Cattle Council of Australia.
In 1998, Mr Underwood was awarded the Queen's Birthday Honours Member of Order of Australia in the General Division for service to primary industry, particularly the cattle industry, and to the community.
NTCA President Tom Stockwell said Mr Underwood contributed and led across the spectrum of the pastoral and NT community.
"Whether it was research, education, bushfires, land management or racing. John was committed," he said.
A stalwart of the introduction of Brahman genetics into NT herds, he also represented the Territory at the Australian Brahman Breeders Association.
Apart from all the industry-related contributions, the Underwoods were pivotal to bringing the Katherine pastoral families together through their long-time support of the Katherine School of the Air.
Despite how busy Mr Underwood was, and how many important roles he was carrying out at home and away, he always had time for a yarn and a smile for the shy bush kids from all over the region as they gathered at school functions.
"John's selfless contributions from the family property through to the national industry started with a 600-kilometre drive to Katherine," Mr Stockwell said.
The Underwood family sold Riveren and Inverway Station in 2013, with John and Terry moving to Darwin that year.
Mr Underwood is survived by his wife Terry, sons Patrick and Michael, daughters Marie and Rebecca, and 12 grandchildren.
