Undoolya Station cattleman Jimpy Hayes dies aged 76

The life of an “iconic cattleman” remembered for his work in shaping the Territory.

UPDATE: A TERRITORY tough cattleman, James (Jimmy) Hayes, has been remembered for his commitment to the NT.

Andy Hayes said his dad Jimpy, as he was known by family, was also a long-time School of the Air Santa, delivering presents to students all over Central Australia.

“We have had loads of messages from old students who recalled how Santa would know dad’s nickname,” Andy said.

“He would tell the kids he left the reindeers on a freshly filled dam to get a drink as he hitched a ride on a helicopter to deliver their presents.”

Facebook was filled with posts of love and grief as his family shared their favourite memories.

“After reading all the beautiful words my cousins have shared, it’s clear to see how much love and adoration your grandkids had for you,” wrote his granddaughter Mikayla Hayes.

“I have loved our 25 years together, and I am so lucky to have had such an amazing grandfather to guide me on the right path in life.”

Jimmy and Gail Hayes. Picture: Supplied

Mikayla said Jimmy’s everlasting love, Gail, was in “good hands” and would be “well looked after”.

“It’s time for you to rest easy now, you deserve it. I hope it’s always smoko wherever you are.”

Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association chief executive Will Evans said the NTCA lost a valued life member and friend of the pastoral industry on Friday, June 3.

“The passing of Jim Hayes has been met by all with sadness, the family have contributed enormously to the development, not just of the pastoral sector, but the Territory itself,” he said.

“Our thoughts at this time are with the family and Jim’s friends in the Alice Springs region and across the Territory.”

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles paid tribute to an ‘iconic cattleman’.

“The Hayes family is synonymous with the Territory’s pastoral industry and Jimmy was an iconic cattleman who was born into the business,” she said.

“My sincere condolences to Jimmy’s wife Gail and his children Richie, Jayne, Andy and Ben who proudly continue the Hayes legacy.”

James Hayes during his days on the NT Pastorals Board . Picture: Supplied

Jimmy was a valued member of the Pastoral Land Board between 1999 and 2005, establishing monitoring programs that are still used today.

Pastoral Land Board chairwoman Julie Ross said Jimmy’s contribution to the pastoral industry was immense.

“He was the fourth generation of the Hayes family to manage Undoolya Station and chaired the Alice Springs Branch of the NT Cattlemen’s Association, Alice Springs East committee of the Bushfires Council of the NT, Centralian Beef Producers Consortium and Centralian Land Management Association,” she said.

The Central Australian Show Society also recognised him as a valued patron, life member and friend.

EARLIER: LEGENDARY cattle titan, larrikin and proud Territorian James Alexander Hayes has passed away aged 76 on June 3.

The Undoolya Station cattleman, affectionately known as Jimmy and Jimpy, was famed for his dedication to the industry, for mingling with royalty and Hollywood stars and for his dedication to the community.

He is survived by his “everlasting love” Gail, who he married 1965.

The couple raised their four children, Richie, Andy, Jayne and Benny on the land and have more than 20 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

His son Andy Hayes remembered his father as a man “never afraid of a hard day’s work”, who applied his ethic to every venture.

“He was always willing to lend a hand to anyone, but mostly to the younger generation because he would always say ‘they are our future’,” Andy said.

“A fourth generation cattleman, his passion for beef helped shape the cattle industry in Central Australia.

“Jimpy is a true Territorian who will be missed and remembered by all,” Andy said.

“His legacy however lives on in the 7th generation who will become cattlemen in their own right, in the future.”

Andy said his father was a gentleman to everyone he ever met but mostly his beloved family.

“His love for Gail will be everlasting,” he said.

“He had a wonderful sense of humour. He always saw the funny side of things with a grin on his face and a sparkle in his eye.”

James Alexander Hayes. Picture: Supplied by family

In an interview with the NT News last year, Jimmy recounted his extraordinary life.

“I grew up in the pastoral industry. It’s all I’ve ever known. I’ve only ever worked for two people – my old man (Ted Jnr.) and myself,” he said at the time.

He also shared his encounters with the rich and famous.

Jimmy met Queen Elizabeth II’s late husband the Duke of Edinburgh and recounted how the monarch’s daughter Princess Anne went horse riding at Undoolya.

Jimmy welcomed the 1st Earl of Snowdon, Tony, while he was still married to the Queen’s sister, the late Princess Margaret.

The cattleman had a role in the Earl’s film Ten Who Dared – The Explorers: Burke & Wills.

Jimmy also hosted Tom Selleck while filming Quigley Down Under at the station.

Jim was a founding member of Bushfires NT, life member of Northern Territory Cattleman’s Association, patron of the Alice Springs show and a chairman of the Centralian Beef Consortium among many other roles.

Jim’s children also remembered his “unbelievable knowledge” of Alice Springs’ people, places and events, citing his love of history.