JOAN Heard and the late Muriel Morrish were a pair of pioneers when they began breeding Murray Grey cattle in the late 1960s.
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Pooling their resources when they first went into business in 1968, the pair stretched their funds to afford three heifers.
Today, they have more than 80 breeders to their name and hundreds of purebred cattle sales from across Australia on their books.
Joan and Muriel's partnership over the last four decades has been heralded a success across the nation.
So much so, themselves and their work have been recognised with a life membership to the Murray Grey Association of Australia and an award named after them at the Royal Melbourne Show.
"From the first time we saw the Murray Greys, we wanted to learn more about them, but didn't dream they would become an important part of our lives," Joan said.
"We showed our cattle at Bendigo, Melbourne and many district shows and entered many carcass competitions but it was here - in Myers Flat - we achieved most success."
At 93 years of age, Joan attributes the success of their business to hers and Muriel's enthusiasm for the breed and lifelong friendship.
It was never about the accolades.
"Murray Greys are a unique breed, they are truly Australian originating in the upper reaches of the Murray river country," Joan said.
"We have always been determined to keep the breed alive and flourishing by ensuring cattle registered with the Murray Grey Association Australia are guaranteed and members are true seed stock producers adhering to strict conditions."
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While Muriel died unaware of the acknowledgement her hard work would receive, Joan said to be recognised at all was incredibly heartwarming.
"To also have a perpetual award at the Melbourne Royal Show named the Rockyleigh Trophy after us is also a wonderful thing and something we never could imaging happening," she said.
Murray Grey Association Australia president and friend Phillip Hogan said the duos recognition was "well-overdue".
"They were a driving force in promoting the breed," he said.
"This was particularly the case with supporting new people into the industry with 'special discounts' and very generous terms for youth who had limited finance.
"Many of the people who gathered at the function to recognise these studs had a start with Rockyleigh Murray Greys."
Joan still runs the studs - albeit a bit scaled back from where her and Muriel had it - at 93 years old, persevering as the pioneer she is.
As well as Rockeyleigh, Murray Murray Grey Association of Australia also awarded life membership to the the Holland family's Korella stud (54 years service).
Anne and Ian Burnside's Cratloe stud (43 years) also received acknowledgement for their contribution to Murray Greys.
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