Former Australian Wool Innovation chairman Wal Merriman has praised the impact Robert Peden had on the wool industry following his passing.
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Mr Peden was most popularly known for providing the stud ram on which the Big Merino was modeled.
Mr Merriman said he'd known Mr Peden for most of his life with both families showing sheep together over several generations.
In fact Mr Peden's father used five Merryville rams to re-register the family's property Bullamalita in 1955.
"His contribution to the wool industry is huge," Mr Merriman said.
"Rob was part of the Great Southern Merino group, which used to be the Southern Tableland Field Day committee. He was very instrumental from the beginning and helped to get grants from the council for pens at the Goulburn showground."
Mr Merriman said Mr Peden always had a high-quality flock.
"He was a really good bloke," he said.
"I've had phone calls from Victoria and New Zealand since he died. He was known far and wide and was widely respected."