Former Elders stud stock's Greg Patterson is being fondly remembered as a top class auctioneer who helped many young agents to further their careers.
The 74 year old who passed away on June 2nd spent 45 years in a pink shirt, including more than a decade in stud stock.
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During this successful career with Elders he dropped the gavel on at least two world record priced Merino rams in the early 1980s at the Adelaide Merino ram sale, but he was just as at home on the rail at the weekly Gepps Cross markets.
Born and bred in Port Lincoln, after attending Sacred Heart College in Adelaide on a football scholarship, he returned to his hometown and started work for Elders in 1965. As an 18 year old he was given his first job on the road at Elders Kimba.
Over the years Greg and his wife Karen and their children Renee and Evan, moved around the state to Jamestown, Booleroo Centre, Naracoorte, Loxton and Lameroo branches.
In 1980 Greg received a call up to stud stock in Adelaide where he spent the next decade until a move back to the Port Lincoln branch. He continued to service EP studs.
Many of Greg's work colleagues became life-long friends including Elders stud stock marketing manager Tom Penna.
Tom remembers being in awe of the "top shelf stud stock auctioneer" when he was a "young fella" working in the branches and in 1983 when Tom joined Elders stud stock team Greg - who was the senior auctioneer - became a great mentor to him.
He was very efficient but also had the charisma to create a great atmosphere in the crowd.
- TOM PENNA, Elders
Mr Penna says Greg was a "live the right sort of way" person who was devoted to his family and took his job super seriously.
"He looked after himself and on the rail he looked good, he sounded good and was someone who was at the top of his game," he said.
"He was very efficient but also had the charisma to create a great atmosphere in the crowd."
White River stud co-principal John Daniell says stud stock auctioneering seemed to be more of a "passion than a job" for Greg.
His most memorable moment of Greg adding up the bids was at 1982 Adelaide Merino ram sale when White River bought a Moorundie Park ram in partnership with Gatepines West and Ecclefechan studs for $47,000- a world record for a Poll Merino ram.
In 1980 Greg sold a Collinsville Merino ram for $50,000- also a record at the time.
Greg sold at White River stud's annual on-property ram sale for about 25 years.
"He seemed to know well the stock he was offering and could relate well to the potential buyers from the rail, he had just the right amount of banter with them," John said.
"He would make a few quick remarks and when the bidding started would say 'sir I think you should be bidding'."
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Greg loved his job but after some health concerns including a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease he retired in 2006.
Spence Dix & Co's Luke Schreiber says the week's work experience he did at Elders with Greg after finishing school made his mind up to be an agent.
"I wouldn't be doing what I am doing today without him being prepared to put me in the car and spend some time with me," he said.
"He was an excitable and energetic auctioneer but he also genuinely cared for his clients, that is something that I have always tried to emulate."
