Tributes for Shane Paulger, Kenilworth farmer, former Katter Party member
Community and agricultural leaders have paid tribute to Gympie region farmer and devoted family man and industry advocate Shane Paulger after his death at the age of just 67.
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Former Katter party member and outspoken champion of Queensland farmers Shane Paulger is being remembered for his passion for the regional shows, the dairy industry and politics.
The 67-year-0ld was a fixture of the Queensland dairy and agriculture industries, and a decades-long presence at the agricultural shows across Queensland thanks to his Adale jerseys and holsteins.
Mr Paulger lived his entire life in the Gympie region, working on the farm based on the Mary River about 50km south of the city.
His community ties included membership of the Mother Mountain Speedway, and his annual attendance at the Gympie Show across more than 60 years.
He joined the Katter Australia Party after becoming frustrated by what he said was the failure of the two major parties to understand the plight of regional farmers and the challenges they faced.
In 2012, he challenged for Gympie’s state seat but was beaten by the LNP’s David Gibson.
He ran again in 2015 but this time lost to sitting LNP Agriculture Minister Tony Perrett.
Mr Paulger died “peacefully” at home on his family’s Kenilworth farm on Tuesday, it was announced by Gregson and Weight Funeral Directors on Friday.
Gympie Mayor Glen Hartwig said he knew Mr Paulger for almost 30 years and he was a “close, decent friend”.
“He was one of the very few people in this world who lived his life based on his principles,” Mr Hartwig said.
He said Mr Paulger was a staunch defender of the dairy industry and fought hard to protect it during a period of extreme political turbulence.
Mr Hartwig said it was a shame leaders at the time “weren’t willing to listen”.
“We now have a decimated industry in the state, and Shane had predicted that,” he said.
He said Mr Paulger and his wife Sharon were “wonderful giving people” who helped the community regardless of any cost to themselves.
Dairy Livestock Services paid tribute to Mr Paulger on Facebook, with leading auctioneer Brian Leslie saying he was “one of the greatest Showmen of all time”.
“Shane devoted his life to his family and the dairy industry and the community of Queensland,” Mr Leslie said.
“We extend our deepest sympathy to Sharon, Nicola (Templeton) Lachlan and Julia and their families.”
The post was inundated with tributes for Mr Paulger.
Jennifer McDonald said he was a “a dedicated dairy showman and he loved a good cow” and Michelle Anderson called him an “incredible figure in not only the stud industry but fundamental in the whole Queensland dairy industry”.
Wide Bay MP Llew O’Brien said Mr Paulger had been a vocal part of the fight over $1 per litre milk, and had been a “force in the local political scene for many years”.
Mr O’Brien said democracy required “good people” to function and Mr Paulger did it in an “honourable way”.
“He conducted himself with integrity and dignity,” he said.
Mr Paulger’s funeral will be held on Thursday, June 19, at the Gympie Pavillion.
The service start at 11am and will be livestreamed.
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Originally published as Tributes for Shane Paulger, Kenilworth farmer, former Katter Party member
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