‘One of Australia’s finest leaders’ Luke Bowen to be remembered at Darwin state memorial

The former NT Cattlemen’s boss will be remembered at a service in Darwin next week.

A state memorial will be held for former NT Cattlemen’s Association chief executive Luke Bowen in Darwin on September 17.

A Northern Territory memorial will be held for agriculture industry leader Luke Bowen, after his tragic death last month.

The memorial will be held on September 17 at the Darwin Convention Centre at 10.30am.

“Mr Bowen will be remembered as one of Australia’s finest leaders in agriculture,” Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said.

“On behalf of all Territorians, and the Northern Territory government, I extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to Luke’s family and his partner, Tracey.”

Agriculture Minister Gerard Maley said Mr Bowen was “well respected right around the nation and internationally for his knowledge around agriculture”.

“He was instrumental in establishing the Indigenous Pastoral Program and remembered for leading the Northern Territory’s cattle industry through the 2011 live export ban to Indonesia,” he said.

Mr Bowen held several senior executive level roles throughout the agriculture sector and was appointed as the inaugural chief executive of Cattle Australia in February last year.

Federal Assistant Agriculture Minister Anthony Chisholm last month offered “sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Luke Bowen” on behalf of the government.

“The Australian cattle industry has lost one of its fiercest advocates, whose contribution will not be forgotten,” he said.

“Luke was highly regarded across the agriculture industry and political spectrum, for his knowledge, leadership and integrity.

“Luke will be sorely missed. The Australian agricultural industry is better off for having him in it.”