President Samuel Hordern Biography
Samuel Hordern (1909 – 1960)
President Royal Agricultural Society of New South Wales 1954 - 1960
Samuel (Sam) Hordern was a third generation president of the Society, being the son of Sir Samuel Hordern and the maternal grandson of Sir John See. He grew up in the family home in Darling Point and was educated at Cranbrook School then Cambridge, where he studied law and economics. Returning to Sydney he became a stockbroker until war broke out. Joining the Army, he served first in the Middle East then in Papua, finishing as a major in the 1st Australian Army Tank Battalion.
After the war, Hordern retired to concentrate on rural pursuits, breeding stud cattle, horses and other livestock, as well as dogs and birds. He was amongst the first importers of Santa Gertrudis cattle.
A councillor from 1935, he chaired the Horse and Dog Committees, served on the Agriculture Committee and was ringmaster from 1949.
Handsome and easy going, Sam Hordern’s natural charm and ability made him a popular president. During his term a master plan was conceived for the Showground and many improvements made, staff were increased and reorganised, and the importance of publicity and television was recognised. The 1956 Show, in particular, with its million-pound French trade exhibition, was a blockbuster. Behind the scenes, he was the driving force behind the formation of the Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth, earning the praise of its chairman, the Duke of Edinburgh.
In 1960, while driving to a committee meeting, Sam Hordern had a car accident and died of his injuries. He was 51 years old. The loss of such a talented young leader was a terrible blow to the Society.
A full list of Presidents can be found here.