Herbie’s passion for the industry and undying commitment to deliver for his customers has made him one of Australia’s best stock agents

Herbie Neville has been front and centre in one of Australia’s most pivotal industries, the cattle industry, for the best part of the past 50 years. READ HIS STORY.

Herbie at Ooraminna Station. Picture: SUPPLIED

HERBIE Neville has been front and centre in one of Australia’s most pivotal industries, the cattle industry, for the best part of the past 50 years.

Cattle is so iconic because of the supreme value it has to both Australia’s economy, and our national identity and sense of self.

It’s people like Herbie who make it so special.

Herbie’s passion for the industry and undying commitment to deliver for his customers has made him one of Australia’s best stock agents.

He runs the show for Elders in Alice, including the real estate business as well.

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Herbie’s pride and joy are his three kids: Thomas, Elyse and Joel, a grandkid on the way, and his beloved partner Cora Williams.

“I grew up 4 kilometres south of Lameroo in South Australia, on a farm called Wilkawatt,” he told the NT News.

“Grandpa Neville took the block on as a soldiers settlement in the 1920s, after the First World War.

“On the farm we had Mum Millie, Dad Monty, and my two sisters Jill and Leanne.

“I remember as a little kid helping out in the shearing shed, drafting cattle, I learnt to drive when I was eight, in an old 1928 Dodge Buckboard! I had my maiden voyage by myself when I was nine in an AP6 Valiant!

“We mucked around on push bikes, I drove the tractor for Dad. I played tennis, we had lawn tennis at that time in Lameroo. I tried my hand at a bit of footy.

“Dad sold the farm when he got sick, and he died when he was only 49.

“Dad had a terrific personality. I think of him often. He was a hard worker. Every thing was manual in his day. He was a slight bloke, but he was very strong for a little fella, right up until he died.

“I probably take after Dad when it comes to personality, and party habits! He had a great playfulness.

“Mum is still going strong! She’s 88 and lives in Adelaide. She’s got all her marbles, and still gives me a serve!

“She’s still working, doing voluntary work. She’s still got her license. Mum would train debutants when she was younger, and she was with the Country Fire Service Auxiliary, and the CWA – the Country Women’s Association. Or as Dad would call them, ‘The Chinwaggers Association’.”

Forty-seven years ago on March 18 1974, Herbie’s career with Elders began, aged 16.

“Initially I thought I wouldn’t mind being a carpenter, but then Elders approached me, and I thought I’ll try and make a career out of this,” he said.

“I was green as grass. The raw recruit. I went in to a bit of the unknown, but I knew all the people in there, and that really helped.”

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Herbie started as a Junior Clerk sweeping the floor, before he was soon rising up the ranks.

In 1976, Herbie moved to Alice.

“It was beautiful. Everyone knew everyone else. There was never a dull moment,” he said.

“There were no mobile phones back then. We had a radio telephone, we’d send telegrams, we had a Telex machine, then came facsimile — they’ve come and gone — and now it’s the internet and sending emails.

“Alice is a great place. It is the land of opportunities. It can be very hard at the start to get your foot in the door, but once you do, it’s a great place for business.

“It’s a country and place of opportunity. Anyone who wants to explore the vast wide world of opportunities can do it here. And awesome people live here.”

Herbie and his kids. From the left, Tom, Joel, Elyse and her partner Wade Watts. Picture: SUPPLIED

Herbie became an all-star operator with Elders, and was taken across the country with various postings, including Ceduna, Peterborough, Burra, Cleve, Lock and Wentworth.

Herbie came back to Alice for a stint between 1994 and 2000, before returning for good in 2001.

“The keys to being a Stock Agent are being a people’s person, having strong product knowledge and integrity. A good sense of humour helps! You’ve got to mix in with a wide range of people,” he said.

“I’m very passionate about my work. I have a lot of pride in my performance. I love the job, and I like making money for customers. I still really enjoy what I do, and I’ve made a lot’ve friends through the business.”

Herbie is branch manager of Alice, and a gun real estate agent for Elders, and an auctioneer to boot. He’s sold up to 5000 cattle in one hit, and is now a doyen of the industry.

Four years ago Cupid lined-up Herbie Neville and Cora Williams, and Herbie says it’s a match made in heaven.

“Cora has been the backbone of me for the last four years. She’s my solid rock. She’s reliable and really looks after me, she’s very supportive of me,” he said.

“I had three wonderful kids with my first wife, Dianne. She put up with a lot because I put my work before family. She’s a great Mum to the kids.

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“Tom is 33, he works here in town with Anglicare. Elyce is 31, her first baby, with her partner Wade Watts, is due in five weeks time.

“My youngest Joel is 26, he is a chippie, he has his own business, Next Gen Projects. They are doing really well.”

Herbie’s family is growing, and his career is thriving. They say good things come to good people, and Herbie, you deserve every bit of it mate!