These were the words of Geoff Hopkins at the Wagga cattle sale on Monday. He was reflecting on the life of his dad Harold Hopkins.

Mr Hopkins a well-respected drover, who made his living and life on the long paddock, died last Tuesday after a short battle with cancer. 

Mr Hopkins, 69, is survived by his much-loved wife Irene, and three daughters, and son Geoff. 

The work of Harold Hopkins was always highlighted during times of drought. In fact, he had a large mob of cattle on the road in the eastern Riverina right up until he died.

Some of these cattle went under the hammer at the Wagga Livestock Marketing Centre on Monday. And there was also one minute’s silence at the start of the market to mark the life of Harold. 

More than 300 people attended his funeral in Wagga on Friday and Geoff said it seemed everyone had a story to tell when it came to remembering the life of his dad. 

“He enjoyed family, droving and campdrafting,” Geoff explained. 

Harold was also known for his resilience. Geoff said his dad would go out on the road with big mobs of cattle and a water cart to keep them going during times of feed shortage and drought. 

“He was a big knock about bloke who loved what he did,” Geoff said. 

“He always had some advice … it is hard to look back and remember his life without having a smile,” he said.