Neil Kemmis AM, is a true pillar of his community, embodying the value of being ‘useful’ from a young age – a lesson instilled by his father with simple tasks like fetching firewood and tending to draught horses.
Neil remembers his dad saying on many occasions ‘make yourself useful and ….’
Over the years, Neil has applied this ethos not only to his family life but also to his community, where his dedication and hard work have made a lasting impact.
Born on February 7, 1926 at the Boggabri Private Hospital, to parents Madaline Elizabeth (nee Nicholson) and Leslie Frank Kemmis.
Neil Leslie Kemmis was the youngest and fourth child for the family with siblings Alma, Madge and Roger excited with his arrival.
Neil grew up helping on the family farm, recalling memories of working with draught horses and watching his father ‘sucker bashing’.
Neil’s father, Captain Leslie Kemmis was severely gassed and badly injured in a bomb blast in Lard Trench, Gusdecourt, France, in November 1916.
He was taken to a hospital in London, where both his legs were amputated.
Alison remembers her grandfather with his two wooden legs.
Neil started his formal education through Blackfriars Correspondence School.
His sisters, mainly Alma would go through the lessons with him after he came in from the paddocks and work each night.
The lessons would then be posted back to the school.
He was one of the founding students at Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School at Tamworth.
In 1939 his schooling at Farrer was abruptly interrupted when, at the age of 13, he was called home to run the farm.
Neil’s son and grandsons have continued the tradition and attended Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School.
A touching note for Neil and his family was when Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School resumed last week for the 2026 school year.
They paid tribute to Neil and his 100th birthday at their first assembly.
With modern technology Neil was able to view the tribute, and the many happy birthday messages sent his way.
Only once did Neil come close to not making himself useful.
It was in 1940 when he faced a life-threatening illness in Tamworth hospital.
With doctors fearing the worst, his parents were called to say their final goodbyes.
Fortunately, after six weeks of intensive care, he made a remarkable recovery, further testament to his resilience.
Of course, there were other occasions and close calls, falling out of Kurrajong trees, falling off horses and general farming hazards.
Back in the early days, farming was done using teams of horses and as Neil said: “there was a skill to driving 10 draught horses in one team.”
Neil formed a friendship with his next-door neighbour’s daughter when she came home from her nursing training.
As Daphne didn’t drive, he would pick her up and drive her home again after she had given his dad his injections.
Neil said: “I thought I would do the right thing and ask Daphne to the Diggers Ball.
“I thought a lot of her, but I thought she was way in front of me, I’m not sure how that happened, anyway the rest is history.”
The couple were married at the Boggabri Methodist Church on August 14,1954, with attendants Ruby Sim, Beryl Donaldson, Graham Donaldson and Roger Kemmis witnessing the ceremony.
Neil and Daphne raised three children, Alison Morrison, Ian Kemmis and Leonie Wilcox.
Both Neil and Daphne believed that the key to a good marriage was to hold strong family values and have a shared sense of community spirit.
To celebrate their golden wedding anniversary the couple travelled to Edinburgh, Scotland to mark the occasion.
While there they attended the Edinburgh Royal Tattoo and a tour of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales.
Neil said: “we had 64 years of wedded bliss, and I miss her every day, it was a great partnership, and I couldn’t have done a lot of things without her support”.
In 1997 Neil was milking the cows when the first congratulatory call came through when he received the Medal of the Order of Australia (AM) in the Queen’s Birthday honours list for service to the
Gunnedah region through local government and community organisations.
He served 14 years on Gunnedah Shire Council, including two years as deputy president and eight years as chairman of the abattoir committee.
He retired from local government in 1995.
He also served four years as chairman of the Namoi Valley County Council, then Namoi Valley Electricity, which supplied power to 12 per cent of New South Wales.
He was the last chairman of NVE with northern power authorities amalgamated in 1995 to form North Power.
Neil also served a total of 16 years as president of the Boggabri Farmer’s Association and its predecessors, the first term between 1951 and 1958.
He was chairperson of the Gunnedah Bushfire Executive committee for 10 years, captain of the Willala brigade for more than 30 years and was honoured with a national medal for more than 50 years of service with the Rural Fire Service and was treasurer of Willala P & C for 12 years.
He served as a lay preacher and member of the Anglican Parish Council for 30 years and was president of the Boggabri Show Society through the 1970s.
Neil was baptised at St Barnabas’ Church Boggabri and has been a stalwart of the congregation all his life and currently holds the record of 52 years serving on the Parish Council.
He was one of the pioneers in getting the Anglican and the Uniting Churches to merge and co-operate as the Boggabri Community Church.
Neil is not one to let the grass grow under his feet and at the age of 98 went for his first helicopter ride at the 2024 Drovers Camp Fire weekend in Boggabri.
For the past four-and-a-half years, Neil has been a resident at the Boggabri John Prior Multi-Purpose Service.
The family invited some of his close friends and past neighbours to an afternoon tea on Wednesday.
Neil enjoyed catching up with old friends like Tom Fearby, whom he hadn’t seen for a long time.
He enjoyed a morning tea with residents and staff at the Boggabri John Prior MPS on Friday and a wonderful family morning tea/lunch on Saturday for his birthday.
The extended family now consists of three children, nine grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren along with husbands, wives and partners, all of whom love and respect Neil.
Many family members travelled long distances to be with Neil on this momentous occasion.
Lots of laughter, a few tears of happiness and many memories and stories were shared.
Tables were laden with tantalising fresh fruit, slices, sandwiches, scones, tea, coffee, juice, however the centrepiece that caught everyone attention was a beautiful cake made by Alison and a sword sitting beside the cake.
Neil was very emotional as he cut his cake.
The ‘Dress Sword’ belonged to his father, Captain Leslie Kemmis.
The family thought it would be an excellent way to celebrate family, and this momentous occasion.
Neil has received a large amount of mail including cards and best wishes from, family and family connections, friends and neighbours from his wonderful long life.
High profile congratulations and best wishes have been received from Roy Butler, the Member for Barwon, Jamie Chaffey, federal Member for Parkes, The Hon. (Chris) Christopher Minns, Premier of NSW, the Honourable Greg Piper MP, Speaker of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales, Honourable Anthony Albanese MP, Prime Minister of Australia, Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC, Governor-General of Australia and the top spot went to King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
Congratulations and happy birthday Neil from the staff at The Courier.
