NT Cattlemen’s Association boss Will Evans pays tribute to former NTCA boss Luke Bowen

‘When strength was needed, Luke provided it. When courage was needed, Luke had it in spades’: Still reeling from the death of one of their own, NT Cattlemen have paid tribute to an industry pioneer.

Executive Director of NT Cattlemen's Association Luke Bowen.

Still mourning the death of one of their own, Territory cattlemen have delivered a moving, extended tribute to former chief executive Luke Bowen, who tragically died in Adelaide at the weekend.

NT Cattlemen’s Association chief executive Will Evans said Mr Bowen, who led NTCA between 2008 and 2014, had laid many of the foundations upon which the organisation had been built.

Mr Bowen was at the helm of NTCA when the then Prime Minister Julia Gillard-led federal Labor government banned live cattle exports to Indonesia under pressure from the Greens, after incidents of animal cruelty had been exposed in Indonesian abattoirs.

NT Cattlemen’s Will Evans has paid tribute to former NTCA boss Luke Bowen.

He led the successful fight to have the ban lifted and then began the legal process that eventually led to the Federal Court finding the government’s ban had constituted malfeasance in public office.

“Luke’s legacy is immense,” Mr Evans said.

“The NTCA today stands on many of the foundations he built in his time as chief executive.

“In Luke’s time at the helm, the NTCA grew from a small but powerful Territory based cattle industry association, to a national presence for northern Australia.

“His passion reminded so many in Canberra that while we may be far away, our voice would be heard, would be respected and that we mattered and could not so easily be ignored.

“When strength was needed, Luke provided it. When courage was needed, Luke had it in spades. When kindness was needed, Luke was the first to offer it. When someone needed a good laugh, Luke always found a way of making it happen.

Lia Finocchiaro paid tribute to Mr Bowen. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“The strength of his personality lit up any room he walked into. He was inherently a leader, not one made or forged. But one destined to it. As if he was born knowing how to help others, driven by a need to be of service to his friends and family and those who needed him.”

Mr Evans said the industry’s pain was “widespread and deep”, but Mr Bowen’s legacy would “get us through”.

“Luke was a master of bringing people together,” Mr Evans said.

“He had an ability to unite, to focus, to navigate a way through against all odds. And it is together that we will mourn this loss and we will emerge through it, no matter how tough it may seem.

“I know Luke will always be with us in our hearts, in our thoughts and in our deeds.”

He paid tribute to Mr Bowen’s partner Tracey Hayes, who he said was now with her and Mr Bowen’s family.

Federal senator Jacinta Price. Picture: Gera Kazakov

Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said there had been an outpouring of support for Ms Hayes and her family.

“Luke was an incredible Territorian, fierce and loyal,” she said.

“He just had a quiet determination about him. He led us through the live cattle bans and was exceptional in his field, well respected right around the nation and into Asia for his knowledge around agriculture and live trade.

“It’s a huge personal loss to so many people who knew Luke, but also a great loss to the Territory. The Territory has lost one of its greatest sons.”

Senator Jacinta Price also paid tribute, saying Mr Bowen had been pivotal to the NT Cattle industry.

“The cattle industry in Australia owes a great deal to Mr Bowen,” she said.

“He was a true leader and he will long be remembered for his contributions.”