Tributes pour in for ‘King of Alice Springs’

TERRITORY cattleman Billy Hayes has been remembered as a devoted dad and the “King of Alice Springs”

Territory cattleman Billy Hayes at Deep Well station with his sons Harry, 11, Sam, 13, Tom, 19. Pictures: FACEBOOK

TERRITORY cattleman Billy Hayes has been remembered as a devoted dad and the “King of Alice Springs”.

NT Cattlemen’s Association chief executive Tracey Hayes posted a tribute to her former husband on social media on behalf of the Hayes family yesterday.

“The Territory has lost a fifth generation son and for that is a poorer place. We feel the arms of the NT wrapped around our four boys, his mum Jan, sister Jenny and brother Matt and extended families and friends,” she said.

“For that we are truly grateful. His boys were his world. So much loss and heartache for one family.”

Mr Hayes, of Deep Well station, was killed when the Cessna 150 he was flying during a cattle muster, crashed on Tuesday at New Crown Station, near the SA border. He was the only person on board.

Alice Springs deputy mayor and vice-president of Motorsports NT Jamie de Brenni said the Centre was devastated at the loss of the “King of Alice Springs”. “There was nothing he wasn’t involved in, what he wouldn’t give to the community to make it a better place,” he said.

Mr de Brenni said 46-year-old Mr Hayes was devoted to his family. “His love of his boys was second to none and his res-pect for his mother; he was a special man who loved to pass on his passion for life,” he said.

“The biggest impact will be on his family, his sons. He idolised those boys and I don’t think you’ll find a better role model anywhere.”

Former manager of Hamilton Downs Station Gary Prior said Mr Hayes’ passions were for his kids, horses, motorbikes and flying.

“He was a pretty switched on young fella and good at what he did,” he said. “I don’t think he would have had an enemy anywhere.

“The family’s extremely well known in the Centre and everywhere else in the cattle industry and this will be devastating for his family and for the town. “This is just one of those horrific bloody things that should never have happened.”

Five-time Finke Desert Race winner Toby Price paid tribute on Facebook: “He was a bloody legend and will continue to be one watching over the family mate...Will be missed by many!! Wild, crazy but hilarious bloke he was.”

Two-time winner Rick Hall grew up with Mr Hayes and remembered being on the podium when Mr Hayes came third in 1998.

“He had an infectious personality but he wasn’t over the top; he was just a good man and even when the chips were down he would always look for a positive side,” Mr Hall said.

NT Senator Nigel Scullion said Mr Hayes was one of the Territory’s finest cattlemen.