Neale Lavis OAM, one of Australia’s greatest horsemen, departed this life on 6 October 2019. Described as Lavis the legend, a humble and generous man, but most of all a true friend to many of us, as well as member and great supporter of Access for All.
Jill, Neale and Velma at the unveiling of the memorial plaque-a tribute to Neale’s equestrian achievements, Bodalla, September 2017.
AFA extends our sympathy to the family, wife Velma and children Jill, Sandra, Ross and Robyn. Neale will be sadly missed by all of us.
Neale and Peter Smith at the Braidwood & District Historical Society’s Annual Dinner on 24 August.
Neale attended the dinner in Braidwood along with about 30 AFA members to hear BDHS President’s talk on Braidwood’s Almost Forgotten Tracks. As we all know he had an advent full and eventful life but is best known for winning gold and silver medals in the 1960 Rome Olympic Games. He also bred some famous race horses, including Strawberry Road (1982-3 race horse of the year) and Just a Dash who went on to win the 1981 Melbourne Cup. In 1999, Neale was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his service to the equestrian sports as a competitor, coach, and administrator, and to the community. Most of all he was passionate about horses and loved the bush.
A quote from Neale, “The thing is all about the riding I have done, and I always put it back to the fact that I rode in the bush and became fearless in the bush, that really stuck with me.”