Yorke Peninsula Hampshire Down breeder Peter Button was awarded life membership of the Australian Sheep Breeders Association during the Combined Breeders Function in the sheep pavilion at the Royal Adelaide Show.
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A committee member for more than 30 years, he also served on the federal board of the organisation that represents about 20 sheep breeds, including a stint as president.
In the early years, he helped organise many youth education days through ASSBA and in more recent years has encouraged the next generation through his involvement in the SA Sheep Expo.
The stud principal of Ramsay Park studs was also a driving force behind the combined heritage breeds feature show at Adelaide which helped a few of the smaller breeds showcase themselves.
ASBBA president Neil Kroehn, Springton, who presented the award, said Peter had been a tireless volunteer.
"Any organisation - for its success - needs people like Peter, who happily give their time over a long time to organise things without expecting any great recognition," he said.
Mr Button said it was a "great honour" for people to think he had done enough to warrant life membership but he said it had been a family effort. This year he and wife Julie were back showing their Hampshire Down sheep - after reactivating the stud in their retirement.
"We have done all this right from day one as a family. When we had our kids, they were here, now our grand daughters are here at the show helping us with the Hampys," he said.
