Friend and colleague Bob Swann described Rob as chirpy, always putting his heart and soul into life and someone with all the cheek in the world.
Rob was one of the early deer farmers, capturing Red deer to form the base of his Southland herd. He was regarded as an expert in deer capture and post-capture treatment, writing a piece on the subject for the “New Zealand Deer Farming Annual”. He was very forward thinking in terms of deer nutrition, management to reduce stress and the potential of velvet for more than a by-product.
He was the first to start a mobile slaughter house for deer in the mid-1970s while he was farming in Hindleyburn, Lake Horoko, in Southland. It was at a field day at Hindleyburn that his prankster nature was witnessed by Bob Swann.
“He took some chaps up in his helicopter, then said in a serious voice he’d forgotten how to land it, and asked them to please pass the manual under the seat.
“The chap in the back looked a bit white but soon realised Rob was having him on!
“That was Rob Brookes to a tee.”
Rob was one of the founding national councillor members of the NZ Deer Farmers Association (NZDFA) and was considered a leader, particular in the area of genetics. He was interested in European-sourced Red deer and imported the stag King Richard, with a view to improving trophy heads. The stag’s progeny have gone on to influence trophy sires across NZ.
He established a farm in England so he was able to source German Red deer, relocate them to England and then send deer, semen and embryos to NZ. This was during the 1980s, at the start of this trade.
Tony Pearse, of Deer Industry NZ (DINZ), said Rob showed himself to be innovative and inspiring in the founding years of the deer industry.
“He was way ahead of the game, always thinking of ways to do it better.
“He had a clear focus on improving deer genetics and inspired a lot of people around him.”
Rob helped organise the NZDFA conference in Queenstown in 1985 and this was considered one of the best “party” conferences in the history of the deer industry. Over 900 people attended and it included fantastic food, a trip on the TSS Earnslaw and was a real showcase of venison and velvet.
“Rob was the driving force behind it.”
He was known as a good stockman and a very practical person who disliked bureaucracy. He moved his deer operation from Southland to Queenstown, which is now Remarkables Park Stud Farm. When this was sold, he moved to the Shotover where he started a drying business. He then moved to Christchurch, where he started a lawn-mowing business. Bob Swann said it did well as it was mostly staffed with retired farmers.
John Scurr, former chairperson of DINZ and deer farming colleague said Rob would be remembered as a charismatic person.
“He had a passion for the emerging NZ trophy and velvet industry at the time.”
Rob is survived by his wife Peg and three children; Susan, Linda and Tony.
