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Vale, Doreen Muriel NAUSCHUTZ

Keith and Doreen with a few of the many awards they have received over the years

Simmental Australia has been informed of the passing of former Goldpark and Platinumpark Simmentals co-principal, Doreen Nauschutz on 26th October, aged 81.

Doreen is survived by her husband Keith, children, grand children and great grand children.

In honour of their contribution to the Simmental breed, we reprint this tribute to them both:

Queensland pioneers look back on grand past

By Connie-Louise Rego

Few people can boast a love for Simmentals like renowned Queensland cattleman Keith Nauschutz. And while he and wife Doreen are no longer fixtures on the show circuit, their significant contribution to the breed carries on.

Keith is a pioneer of the Queensland Simmental, and from the early 1970’s until his retirement nine years ago, he worked tirelessly producing superior quality cattle and developing the breed’s reputation.

While Simmentals now enjoy a stronger profile in Australia, Mr Nauschutz said his decision to breed them was initially met with scepticism. He said he read about Simmentals shortly after he married Doreen and after further investigation, they purchased semen when it became available. Mr Nauschutz completed an AI course and the first calf was dropped in 1974.

“I didn’t go in to this boots and all to begin with,” he said. “I was a bit unsure about the breed also, but once I started seeing how good the calves were and I started getting top cents for them, I was convinced.”

At the time Herefords and Angus were the dominant breeds in Australia, but Keith said he was attracted to Simmentals because of their hardy nature, temperament and quality of meat.

The couple established the prominent cattle stud Gold Park Simmental near Jandowae on the Darling Downs. Despite initially facing resistance, their determination to breed Simmentals soon paid off. Their cattle began winning at various shows and in 1984 their bull Ben Hur was the first Queensland-bred Simmental to win Grand Champion at the Royal Exhibition in Brisbane.

It took Keith and Doreen seven years to produce a closed herd and it was eventually recognised as the best in the Country.

“I believe it is the top breed of cattle. They have a good temperament and I really enjoyed working with them. I also think they are the best tasting meat,” Mr Nauschutz said.

“We used to kill our own cattle and send it off to be butchered and I remember the butcher saying they couldn’t believe the quality of the meat, and if they were able to get that quality all the time he would be extremely happy.”

The Nauschutz’s champion bull Ben Hur was the first Queensland-bred Simmental to win Grand Champion at the Brisbane show

Keith’s father was a dairy farmer and a local pioneer also- being one of the first farmers in the Jandowae area to grow grain.

Cattle are in Keith and Doreen’s blood- both of them were destined to live and work on the land.

Keith said Doreen was supportive of his interest in Simmentals and she was the one who did most of the cattle showing and parading.

“Doreen has a way with cattle, and at the time you didn’t see many women doing what she was doing.

“I remember a journalist was surprised when he saw Doreen’s craft work and commented on her ability to lead 1000 kilo bulls and do fine needle work.” He said.

“It’s a terminal illness- once it’s in your blood it never leaves. We miss showing cattle.”

The decision to retire in 2004 was difficult, however Mr Nauschutz said it was made easier because the herd was kept together.

“Doreen and I were relieved when Noel Mobbs approached me to purchase the whole herd. He is a terrific cattleman and knowing he had Gold Park made the sale much easier. The herd was kept together and are well looked after- he took up where we left off.”

The Nauschutz’s now have time to pursue other interests. Doreen is skilled at fine needle work and teaches classes and Keith recently entered a few cakes in the men’s baking section at the Goombungee show.

Still tinkering with cattle, Keith keeps a few at their new place in Haden and believes Australian Simmentals have a bright future.

“We are extremely proud of our involvement with Simmentals,” he said.

“And in the end we did it for the breed. I have faith in their future.”