‘No better rider ever held a brush.” Jill Bowen - The Bulletin Magazine, 1982.

Hugh Sawrey was born at Forest Glen in Queensland, the second son of George and Jane Sawrey. His father died when Hugh was three and Jane Sawrey struggled to raise her family. After only a year at secondary school, Hugh went bush, sending home much of his meagre earnings to his mother.

In his bush years Hugh cut and pulled Cyprus pine with a Kelly axe and three snigging horses, worked cattle camps from Diamantina Lakes, into the Gulf Country and Alexandria Downs in the Northern Territory and took a turn at shearing at Augathella. And all the time, his eye took in every detail of outback life. He kept a few sheets of paper in his saddlebag, and drew pictures with charcoal to give to his mates. He raided the cook’s store for spare paper and colourings.

Largely self-taught, he studied at times with Max Meldrum and Caroline Baker. His first painting, of a stockman, sold for £5 in 1960. He painted on the walls of Western Queensland pubs, the lids of tobacco tins and sheets of Masonite. He loved horses and he painted them like old friends. His canvases captured the very essence of the spirit of Australia. His art is proudly displayed in private collections and exhibitions throughout Australia and overseas. His work featured in the ‘Top Horse Painters of the World Exhibition’ at London’s Tyron Gallery. In 1988, he was awarded the CBE and in 1994, painted a Waltzing Matilda collection to celebrate the centenary of the composition of the song. Hugh Sawrey was passionate about the history of the Australian outback and said, “ We need a memorial to honour the men and women of the outback.” It was this vision and enthusiasm, which saw him become the founder, chairman, and ambassador of the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame and Outback Heritage Centre at Longreach.

Hugh Sawrey died at Benalla in Victoria at the age of 80 and is survived by his wife Gill and two sons Jon and Tony.