Valley loses one of sugar industry's best

THE Clarence Valley has lost one of the stalwarts of the local sugar industry.

Don McRae died on Friday morning in a Lismore hospital from cancer. He had been transferred to Lismore for a non-related illness.

Clarence Canegrowers Association manager Pat Battersby said many Clarence Valley cane farmers believe there would have been no local cane industry without Mr McRae.

He said Mr McRae was instrumental in forming the NSW Sugar Milling Co-operative in 1978, after CSR withdrew from the NSW sugar industry in the mid-1970s.

Mr McRae became the founding chairman of the co-op and held that position until he retired 20 years later.

Mr Battersby said Mr McRae first took up a role with the Clarence Sugar Executive in 1959.

He became vice-chairman of the executive in 1969, then chairman the year after. He held that position until 1979.

Mr McRae also ran for the NSW State seat of Casino twice in the 1970s.

He stood against sitting Labor Member Don Day in 1973 and again in 1976 but was unsuccessful on both occasions.

Mr McRae was narrowly beaten on preferences.

Mr McRae's funeral will be held today at the Anglican Church in Maclean at 2pm.

source: dailyexaminer