Mr Des and Mrs Marilyn Stevens
‘Hallylulya:’ the largest Ryeland flock in Australia
Des and Marilyn Stevens with their champion and reserve champion ewes. Source - Australian Sheep Magazine FB page.
Des and Marilyn Stevens are highly esteemed sheep breeders known for their significant contributions to the Melbourne Royal Show through their Hallylulya Ryeland stud, which they established in 1956.
Their exceptional sheep have earned them numerous accolades, including champion and reserve champion titles for rams and ewes, and they have also been recognised as the most successful exhibitors at the Show.
Des and Marilyn's lifelong commitment to the Ryeland breed has been commended by experts like judge James Bond from Cornwall, UK, who praised the true-to-type nature of their sheep.
Their efforts have greatly influenced the direction of modern Ryeland breeding in Australia and have even contributed to the breed's revitalisation in Britain, as Ivan Heazlewood pointed out in his book From the Sheep Pen.
Despite having the largest Ryeland flock in Australia, consisting of around 200 ewes in 2009, Des and Marilyn retired a decade later. This resulted in the dispersal of their Ryeland stud, which raised concerns for the endangered status of the Ryeland in Australia. Their legacy will be remembered through the impact they have made, not only in the show ring but also in revitalising the Ryeland breed on an international scale.
Marilyn Stevens, Halylulya Ryelands, Heywood, with judge James Bond, Cornwall, and Tamsin Bourchier, parading the champion Ryeland ram and ewe. Source - Stock and Land