Yarrawonga identity James (Jim) Drake will be remembered as a wonderful friend, most trustworthy, a confidant, a straight-shooting stock agent, an exceptional auctioneer and great family man according to close friend Bill Bott AM.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
“You come across characters or people who leave an indelible mark on you – Jim was one of those people,” Coreen farmer well known in Yarrawonga and Mulwala, former Corowa Shire President Mr Bott said at the funeral mass held in Yarrawonga’s Sacred Heart Catholic Church last Thursday.
Mr Drake, 85, passed away on March 24 after battling health in recent years.
“He told me he had a wonderful career,” Mr Bott said. “He was an exceptional auctioneer; 150,000 sheep sold in Newmarket in one day. Next day all the sheep were gone, the books had to balance – it was a very long day. He probably sold more sheep than anyone in Yarrawonga in the period he operated.”
The funeral service was conducted by Fr Steve Bohan who told the big crowd of mourners that Jim was so highly respected and admired, possessing such a knowledge of his business and people.
“Jim had an extraordinary memory recalling sales all over the country, was a great storyteller, loved to reminisce about sales especially Newmarket,” Fr Steve said.
“He was very proud of those days – it was the school of learning. Jim was such a friendly, welcoming character, so honest and valued life experiences. He valued his family, friends and clients, he enjoyed their company. He loved hospitality – giving and receiving.”
Jim’s grown up children also spoke in the most glowing terms about their father whom they loved.
Daughter Philippa’s eulogy included: “My father left Xavier College at the age of 14 and got a job working with Fairbairn & Co at Newmarket Saleyards. This was the start of his stock agent career that led to working his way up to manage Elders Yarrawonga and finally run his own company before retiring from the industry after more than 54 years of service.
“My father married a Loreto Mandeville Hall girl and – as luck would have it – her family were well known stock agents (McNamaras) in the town that he settled. Together, they had six children and lived a full life.
“My father enjoyed many sports at Xavier and took up some of them outside school. He rode horses, played water polo and went to the ice-skating rink, was St Moritz. He was part of school productions and was a keen cricketer, swimmer and footballer.
“He had fond memories of Xavier and established life-long friends. Xavier gave him many opportunities, a discipline he carried through his life and an affiliation with a group of men who are forever tied to the Xavier tradition and values.
“Unfortunately, my father experienced tragedy also. He lost his dear wife Jacqueline, dying in 1998 at the age of 58 and one of his daughters, Samantha passing away in 2015.”
Dad’s forte
Son Michael said: “Auctioneering was Dad’s forte and he revelled in being the front man and added honour to his work with his quick wit and sayings around the yards.”
Michael recalled the great social outings with close friends including the McNamaras, Langfords, McMillans, McDonalds, Spencers and Taits, the work trips including the 700-1,000 mile ones to central and western and those including Bill Bott, and brothers Wilf and Bruce Owen, and plenty of lighter moments.
(Not overly tall) “Dad and fellow auctioneer Peter Baillie went away many times,” star cricketer and coach Michael said. “Dad said he was taller than Peter because he had hair! Peter said he had overtaken Jim of late. When Mum and Dad first dated, Pa McNamara would say ‘Where’s that little jockey fella?’.
Tiffany recalled the early memories of her Dad, “the smell of sheep, his grubby moleskins and dirty boots – and his office was in the family’s lounge room”. Included is more of what Tiffany said.
“Dad loved his career. A friend and workmate of his said Dad was a natural and he excelled at it. When he first saw Jim selling he was impressed with Dad’s fresh face, his well pressed shirts straight off the ironing board. You heard Jim before you saw him. My sisters and I recently had a conversation with the general manager of Elders who told us Dad was held in high regard. He said ‘your father left an imprint on a lot of people with his expertise and support. Jim was unbelievably respected’.
“Dad was really busy with work, but he always made time for our Gold Coast holiday, teaching us to swim, visits to farms.
“Dad took us to the saleyards to wash his car. With the high-pressure hose, we loved this as kids.
“Mum and Dad always supported each other and always found ways to provide us with a good life.
“Later on in Dad’s life he connected with his mother’s Irish family. He travelled to Ireland four times to visit his Irish family, he loved each visit and took great pride in learning about his Irish heritage.
“When mum passed away it was very hard on our family, sudden and a real shock to us all. We also lost Sammy. Dad did a good job of looking after himself after Mum died. Even though the last few years have been challenging with his health and not being in his home, he lived at Warrina Aged care and we felt he was safe and well cared for.
“Dad found a home in Yarrawonga with mum and her family and the local community.”
Julianna gave several examples of when her Dad’s presence would be felt. “We will always remember Jim with love, deep affection, respect and gratitude,” she said.
Mr Bott referred to Jim’s loss of Jacqui and Samantha. “He told me Jacqui said you’ve got to be brave, and he was brave. Family was paramount in Jim’s life. If he could get back from a sale way out of town on the same day, he would. ‘I want to be home with the family’, he’d say.”
Conducted by Yarrawonga Mulwala Funeral Services, the funeral left the church for the Yarrawonga Lawn Cemetery. A wake followed at Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort, where Jim was popularly elected as a director for two years in 2000, and where mourners recalled great times with him.
Journalist