Urana Special Sheep Sale in February, 1977 where 19,405 sheep sold for an average price of $9.24. Denis Smith (third from left) with brothers-in-law, from left, Kevin, Jim, John, Peter and Leon Sandral. A watering system had been installed enabling the sale to be conducted without clouds of dust after ongoing drought.
Well known Urana resident Denis Smith and the Smith family have been serving their community in local government for 92 years to date.
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Denis, 87, spent 21 years on Urana Shire Council until September 2008 and still takes a keen interest in Federation Council, following the amalgamation of Urana and Corowa Shires in 2016.
He has some advice for today’s councillors and his passion for local government of the shire is obvious.
Denis’s father, James Mathew Smith, was elected to Urana Shire Council in 1931 at age 28.
He served on the council for 40 years, including 28 as shire president and was awarded an MBE for a wide range of community services.
James Mathew Smith served on Urana Shire Council for 40 years and was awarded an MBE for service to his community.
Denis’s brother Anthony was elected to council, at age 35, upon their father’s retirement.
Anthony Smith served 16 years, which included 11 years in the top job.
At age 17, Anthony contracted polio leaving him with disabilities. He died suddenly, during office, in 1987.
It was then that Denis was elected to council where he remained for the next 21years.
“I then persuaded my nephew Pat Bourke to nominate,” Denis said.
“Pat was elected the following year, became deputy mayor and was mayor from 2013 to 2016 at Urana.”
In 2017, Pat became the inaugural mayor of Federation Council.
He remained in the job until 2024 and continues today as the sole councillor from the shire’s northern area.
Cr Pat Bourke sits on Federation Council today, and was a former mayor in Urana Shire Council.
James’ son Anthony was a very special and talented man according to Cr Bourke.
“Anthony was inspirational in that his personal handicap from polio never held back his personal success or his time on council, as well as many other organisations,” he said.
“I was always amazed that a man with his handicap, who could not feed himself or cater for his own personal needs, without help, could be so powerful with his words and mind.”
Cr Bourke believes Anthony's life story would inspire anyone who was able bodied or handicapped, to never give up.
“I always thought he should have been recognized more,” he said.
Cr Anthony Smith was a mayor in Urana Shire Council despite severe disabilities.
Denis attends council meetings and is a member of the “Boy’s Group’ (see P 11).
He understands councillors can and do disagree on council related matters, as with the Special Rate Variation (SRV).
“Councillors can have robust discussions; they don’t have to agree on everything,” Denis said.
“But after the meeting, they should all go and have a drink together.
“Councillors who disagree with something should say ‘this is what council has decided’ and if they want to, they can say, ‘I personally don’t agree with it’.”
Denis is a descendant of one of the early pioneering families of the district.
His grandfather, also named James Mathew Smith, moved to Urana - Cullivel District on May 8, 1896, after he drew 432 acres of land in a ballot, then known as Brookong Subdivision.
“My father established the Stock & Station Agency in Urana in March 1935,” he said.
“The first sheep sale was held in Urana on May 9 on the current site and the top prize realised 14 shillings and ten pence for 300 Border Leicester Merino cross lambs, owned by Harry Rockliff.
In 1955, Denis started working under the guidance and direction of his father, obtaining his agency licence in 1965 and assuming ownership of the firm in 1970.
“The largest sale held at Urana was the 50th annual sale on February 14, 1985,” he said.
“In conjunction with Dalgety we sold 32,381 sheep for $714,293.00, at an average price of $22.
“The sale was officially opened by Pat Barry who sold at Urana for 35 years from 1935 until 1969.
“He was a specialist auctioneer and would travel from Kyneton in time to walk around and meet the vendors and prospective buyers, have lunch and be fresh to conduct the sale.”
Denis has been a registered valuer since the early 1970s.
Store stock sales were a major part of the business and were held regularly at the centre with less frequent sales in recent years due to the decline in livestock numbers.
Finally the yards were closed with the last sale in February 2016.
“In 1996 we accepted appointment as agent for Elders and this partnership supported by their backup and network of branches throughout each state has proved a most satisfactory mutual arrangement with our clients, particularly the beneficiaries,” Denis said.
Denis Smith during his time on Urana Shire Council.
Immediate past Federation Council mayor Pat Bourke described the Smith family's contribution as “absolutely amazing”.
“Whether that be the pioneering of the rural area or working with communities, it was endless,” Cr Bourke said.
“Denis’s father was president of Australian Shires Association as well as the NSW state Shires.
“James Smith was the inaugural chair of the NSW noxious weeds board. He had a great passion for nature and hence many tree plantations in our area.
“I think he was an entrepreneurial type of person, which was a great attribute for council.
“His life experiences and quick wit served him well.”
Ninety-two years in local government would take some beating.
Denis Smith hopes to see that number increase, and to see councillors talking more to each other, outside the council chamber.
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