Godfrey Bowen
Walter Godfrey Bowen
Bowen set a world record in 1953 by shearing 456 sheep in nine hours.[3]
Bowen, along with George Harford set up the Agrodome in Rotorua, which is still a popular tourist spot to this day.[4] Tourists get to see a variety of sheep on display, see a sheep shorn and go on a tour of the farm.
In the 1960 Queen's Birthday Honours, Bowen was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire,[5] and in 1990 he was an inaugural inductee into the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame.[1] Bowen was also awarded the Star of Lenin and Hero of Labour by Soviet first secretary Nikita Khrushchev for services to farming and shearing in 1963.[1]
Bowen died in Rotorua of a heart attack in 1994, leaving his wife and four children.[1] He was buried at Kauae Cemetery in Ngongotahā.[6]
References
- ^ a b c d Palenski, Ron. "Walter Godfrey Bowen". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
- ^ "Godfrey Bowen | NZHistory, New Zealand history online". nzhistory.govt.nz. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
- ^ Ward, Paul Stanley (28 March 2000). "Godfrey Bowen: world's fastest shearer". NZEDGE. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
- ^ "Godfrey Bowen". NZHistory. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. 20 August 2014. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
- ^ "No. 42053". The London Gazette (3rd supplement). 11 June 1960. p. 4017.
- ^ "Cemetery database report" (PDF). Rotorua District Council. Retrieved 20 February 2015.[permanent dead link]
External links
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