Tony Parsons: Influential Darling Downs kelpie breeder, author, rural advocate dies at 91

Tony Parsons was a man many held responsible for resurrecting the Australian Kelpie after World War II — now tributes have flowed for the legendary Darling Downs breeder and author after he passed away recently.

/Richter/pix 13 Jan 1999 Tony Parsons author of "The Call of the High Country" with kelpie puppy. headshot animals dogs kelpies puppies 35/Z/15727

Tony Parsons will be remembered as a giant of rural life who played a pivotal role in revitalising the Australian Kelpie as a country icon, according to friends, family and admirers.

The legendary Darling Downs kelpie breeder, agricultural advocate, writer, journalist, novelist and Order of Australia Medal recipient passed away on July 20 at the age of 91.

Born in Sydney during the Great Depression, Mr Parsons got his first kelpie when he was still a boy and instantly developed a love for the breed’s intelligence and loyalty.

While he became a respected wool classer in rural New South Wales and tried his hand at breeding other animals, Mr Parsons became fascinated with kelpies during the 1940s and 1950s.

VALE: Legendary Darling Downs kelpie breeder, writer, journalist and novelist Tony Parsons has passed away at the age of 91.

“World War II decimated the kelpie studs, so he worked with older guys who passed a lot of information onto him,” his daughter Melody Taylor said.

“He was passionate about everything he did — if he was raising kelpies, he was raising the best.”

He and his wife Gloria’s Karrawarra stud produced incredible lines of working dogs, whose genetics are still present in current generations.

But after a farm accident left him with severe injuries he embraced writing more, leading to a number of different careers in the ag sector.

Along with articles, columns and novels, one of his greatest contributions was a series of “bibles” on kelpies, each building on the previous edition.

The Kelpie by Tony Parsons, released in 2010.

“I remember my dad as being two different people; there was the man who loved the paddock, and then there was the man who sat at a desk quietly and wrote — they were two sides of the same coin,” Ms Taylor said.

Longtime colleague and friend Jan Lowing said Mr Parsons “reinvented” himself several times throughout his life, but never wavered from advocating for the bush.

He moved to Cambooya and East Greenmount from the 1980s, where his writing and breeding flourished.

VALE: Legendary Darling Downs kelpie breeder, writer, journalist and novelist Tony Parsons has passed away at the age of 91.

With him at every stage was Gloria, who played an essential role on the land in allowing Mr Parsons to follow his passions.

“Without her, none of it would’ve been possible,” their daughter noted.

Mr Parsons was awarded an OAM in 1992, which good friend Pat Murphy said was a fitting reward for a man who he called one of Australia’s greats.

“I can’t speak more highly of him — he was one of Australia’s legends, one of our unsung heroes.”

Toowoomba Councillor Carol Taylor also praised Mr Parsons’ contribution to rural Queensland and Australia.

“Tony got right down into the complexity of their intelligence,” she said.

“His role in the popularity of the kelpie or the reinvigoration of it was commendable, he loved the dog and had them for many years.”