The Murray Bain Service to Industry Award honours the outstanding achievements of those in our industry who champion exceptional service to industry and hands-on practice. This year’s Murray Bain Service to Industry Award recipient is Ms Yvonne Clerke.
With some 40 years experience in the industry Yvonne first demonstrated her devotion to horses at the feet of her father in Taplow England, a passionate horseman himself. From a young age, Yvonne displayed a selfless and tireless commitment to caring for all whom she encountered, especially foals, applying her natural talents in a very practical way to foal care, neonatal foaling, horse therapy and rehabilitation and best practice horse husbandry. She is a natural and very talented horsewoman.
Yvonne brought these qualities with her when she emigrated to Australia over 30 years ago applying them equally to foals and humans alike. Her commitment to nursing and caring for foals is legendary and she has provided practical input for many Hunter-based research projects related to mare fertility, including caterpillar-related abortion, oviduct surgery and uteropexy surgery with Dr Angus Adkins.
Yvonne applies a hands-on approach to everything she does from general horse husbandry to nursing foals, participating in leading edge research, her teaching and mentoring of students and staff, and her love of her family, friends, community and the Glastonbury Farm.
Yvonne married Mark at Glastonbury. Both her sons, Nathan and Ryan were born there. Many Scone TAFE students have passed through the farm, benefitting from her natural talents and hands on approach to best practice horse husbandry. Yvonne has never stopped mentoring people and sharing her love, experience and knowledge of our industry. To say Yvonne is indefatigable is an understatement. Her dedication and work commitment to all she undertakes is immeasurable.
Yvonne and Mark Clerke and Duncan and Di Grimley purchased the Glastonbury Farm in 2003. This very successful partnership began well before that and has spanned many decades. It is a partnership that exemplifies outstanding professionalism, trust, commitment, their shared passion for the industry and exceptional service to clients and staff.
Yvonne is also totally immersed in and dedicated to our community, quietly working behind the scenes to improve the lives of many in here in the Upper Hunter. She is a member of the Scone Horse Festival Committee, coordinates the Scone Horse Festival Fete, runs the Scone Rugby Club, and continues to serve our schools here in Scone, regardless of the fact that her sons left school 2 years ago.
Yvonne is well known and respected as a person who leads by example, is hard working and devoted to the industry, our community and all who work at or pass through Glastonbury Farm. To quote her friends “she is an awesome giving person, a tireless worker and the most selfless person we know”
The HTBA is very proud to present Mrs Yvonne Clerke with the 2022 HTBA Murray Bain Service to Industry Award.
