Respected SE stock agent farewelled

Raised in Mount Gambier, Mr Graney studied wool classing at the Gordon Institute of Technology in Geelong, Vic, and was a familiar face to regular drivers along the road, often hitch-hiking his way back home.

Following his studies, Mr Graney spent time with Riverina Shearing Contractors in NSW and as a clerk at Elders Kingston, and transferred to Elders Mount Gambier in 1973, where he remained for more than a decade.

He married late wife Sue in 1974, with the couple buying a property in Suttontown, before moving to Carpenters Rocks in 1980.

While with Elders Mount Gambier, Mr Graney learnt the livestock agency business alongside long-time friend Peter O'Connor.

In 1984, the pair, along with Neil Quirk, formed O'Connor & Graney, which was the first independent agent in Mount Gambier.

In the decades that followed, Mr Graney became highly respected for his work ethic, integrity, honesty, strong principles, and knowledge of Herefords, and was also known for his love of surfing and sense of humour.

Son-in-law and fellow O'Connor & Graney livestock agent Ben Jones, said many people admired Mr Graney for his wisdom.

"A lot of people confided in him, he was always calm and level-headed, and a lot of people loved him for that," Mr Jones said.

While preferring to stay out of the limelight, Mr Graney was an original thinker according to Mr Jones, and was one of the driving forces behind the Rural Marketing Agents national network.

Mr Graney is survived by partner Janene, children Kristyn, Rohan, Shannan and their families, and will be fondly remembered by the team at O'Connor and Graney.