Our Family History on Glenwood

I constantly feel blessed to be part of such an amazing story that is Glenwood. My husband’s family, the Smiths, has been breeding Merinos at Glenwood since 1898.

The first grazier in the Smith family in Central West NSW was Mr William Henry Smith. William's son Henry ran a leasehold block called Geurie Station. In 1898 Henry Smith loaned his son Norman £2000 to purchase part of “Glenwood”. 

Over a number of years adjoining blocks were added to “Glenwood” until at one stage it comprised over 9000 acres. Mr Norman HL Smith ran quality Merino sheep and in 1902 won champion ram in Dubbo and Wellington Shows with a ram called Storm. My how things have changed as you can see from the photo below of Storm compared to one of our wrinkle free sheep today!

Norm’s grandfather Lester Smith (pictured above) continued the management of “Glenwood” from the 1930s through to the 1960s. He was one of the first farmers in Australia to spread super phosphate from the air and improve pastures.

In the mid 1960s, Norm’s Dad, Mr Brian Smith, took over the management of Glenwood and continued a great tradition of innovation and absolute pride in all that is Glenwood! He was a pioneer in establishing improved pasture from the air and built dams in all paddocks on the property.

In the mid 1990s Norm took over the management and passion for Glenwood. He married his childhood sweetheart (i.e. me!) and implemented “holistic” management of the farm and SRS Merino genetics.

As they say, the rest is history which I hope to share with you in upcoming blogs.