14/06/2026
It is with heavy hearts we post of the passing of John Donnan.
To us, John was family, friend, mentor, elder and our historian.
Our hearts are broken, but our lives enriched. For John was a gentle man, humble & kind of heart, with an unconditional love for all those he knew. We will, forever admired his true passion & pure love for the land & the livestock that walked upon its soil.
Time spent with John, was always filled with a plethora of historical stories, memories of life experiences & of those who went before him. He always had a smile upon his face and enjoyed engaging in conversation with all he met.
John was born to the Mallee, grew up on Willangie soil and always followed his heart, farming to the very day he passed away.
He was family, first cousin to Andrew’s Dad, Stan. He played a huge role in our lives, especially after Stan died suddenly in 2000.
John & wife, Melva founded the original Kerangie Suffolk Stud in 1971.
With genetics from the Suffolk Stud, Andrew & John founded the Anden White Suffolk Stud together in 1989. Their passion to breed stud sheep, continues to resonate today.
In 2016 John sold his share of the Stud to Joel. There was the feeling of a symbolic ‘handing over of the reins’ to the next generation, fully aware they both had a mutual respect for stock and the legacy that had been built, would be carried on.
John, lived a full life, with farming in his veins. Nothing gave him more pleasure to see a crop planted and the shear joy on his face, whilst sitting in a header at harvest time. Trent had the pleasure again this past harvest, to have John on the header with him, reciting stories of the past and relishing in the delight of watching the crop being harvested.
For John knew & appreciate the hours a farmer worked, the dedication and commitment needed to nurture the land, for it to return a plentiful bounty.
He will be forever remembered for standing in the grain dust and wearing the dirt on his skin, as a badge of honour.
There will be an empty seat at the Swan Hill Cattle sales now. Where John would sit every second Thursday, with interest in the sales and the sharing of that unspoken bond between the farmers in the room.
The stock agents knew him & respected his presence. He was acknowledged at the dais when his cattle were in the ring, while he sat humbly, waiting to hear the auctioneer’s call and the fall of the hammer.
A minutes silence for John, was held, last Thursday’s at the Cattle sale and we extend our gratitude to the BR&C Agents for orchestrating this and to all in the room for their respect to John in those moments.
From the paddocks to the show rings & auction rings, these were the places John would be found. These are the places that filled him with belonging and purpose. Anything to do with farming, filled his soul.
John, loved a chat & was always interested in our family and their interests. His smile, a hand shake or his gentle hug, is what we will miss dearly.
John has left his imprint on us all and on the land he leaves behind.
We will feel his presence in the wind, as it blows over the Willangie paddocks. We will continue to tell him of the rain in the gauge, for he will want to know of every mil that’s fallen, as each drop counts in every season.
John, lived in faith and he lived every minute of his life the way he wanted to, farming.
He was 94.
*Johns funeral service will take place 1:30pm Monday 15th June, in the Swan Hill Uniting Church.
