What a privilege to share this journey for almost 70 years!
Celebrating 75 years in business means we’ve built some special partnerships — and Ray Elleway has been with us nearly from the start. Now 85, Ray’s been farming at Kielpa for almost seven decades. From the days of no electricity to today’s high-tech headers, one thing hasn’t changed — his strong bond with the Ramsey Bros team.
A big decision
Ray was born in Adelaide but grew up mostly on the Eyre Peninsula, where his dad farmed during World War II. “The Cowell Flats are notorious for not getting any rain,” he says. “Times were tough, and we went broke. ”The family returned to Adelaide in 1947, where his dad managed Franklin Transport — but the land kept calling. Nine years later, a share-farming opportunity came up with Ray’s great-uncle, and everything changed. “On the drive home, Dad asked if I’d join him. I said I’d give it a go. ”Just after his 18th birthday, Ray left his General Motors apprenticeship and headed back to the country— and he’s never left. Today, Ray’s still on the 4,200-acre cereal and sheep farm, but his son David and grandson Lochie are taking over. “I’m not really retired, but this is the first year I didn’t step foot in the air seeder,” he says. “They run things past me for a yes or no. Sometimes they listen, sometimes they don’t … I’m only the boy about the place now,” he adds with a laugh. “We get along well, and that’s what matters.”
Decades of trust
Ray’s connection with Ramsey Bros began soon after arriving in Kielpa. “We were eating breakfast just a couple of days in when a truck pulled into the yard,” here calls. “It was Lloyd Ramsey, welcoming us to the district.” Lloyd ran the local grocery and fuel store and came bearing gifts — boxes of food, a drum of petrol, and kerosene for their fridge. “We didn’t know him yet, but that changed fast. Mum and Dad were so grateful — we hadn’t even been to the shops. I’ll never forget that.
From there, the bond grew. “Money was tight, and sometimes we couldn’t pay straight away —but Lloyd never questioned us. He’d just say, ‘Pay me when you can.’ That kind of trust sticks with you. ”Ray’s dad bought most of his machinery from Lloyd and Fred Ramsey, and the families became friends through footy and tennis. When Ray’s family eventually bought their own land, it was the Ramsey family’s original farm. Lloyd played a part in another life-changing connection. “He sold me my first tennis racquet, and I met a lovely young lady playing tennis. When I realised she worked in Lloyd’s shop, I found any excuse to go into Kielpa,” Ray chuckles. He remembers getting Aileen to pump petrol from the old fuel bowser. “I’d ask for ten gallons just so I could get her alone for a chat. ”That plan clearly worked. Ray and Aileen built a life together, raising three children and now enjoying six grandchildren. “We’ve had a tremendous relationship,” Ray says proudly.
Adapting with the times
Ray’s seen plenty of change over the years. “We used to work the soil up, wait for another rain, then go out again to kill weeds before sowing,” he says. “The soil erosion back then was horrendous.” Now, it’s a different story. “With today’s wheat varieties, better technology, direct drilling and chemicals, it has made a massive difference. We used to grow about half a tonne to the acre. Now we’re closer to a tonne.” Though easing into retirement, Ray still gets a kick out of progress — especially on four big wheels. “We’ve got a new Case IH header that’s just arrived. It’s always exciting seeing it in the shed once you’ve made the decision to buy.” David and Lochie will be driving it this season, but Ray’s not handing over the keys entirely. “All my life, I’ve been the header driver. Even last year, I reaped about 80% of the crop,” he says. “We’ve kept the old header — a Case IH 7120 from2011 — one of the best machines they’ve ever made. That’s my machine — it’s got my name on it. I’ll still do a few rounds in it this coming harvest.”
One to remember
Ray’s proud to have seen the Ramsey Bros story grow alongside his own. “We’ve had a tremendous connection with the Ramsey Bros team — they’ve always been there. One of those people is Eddy Ward. We’ve known each other a long time, and there’s always been mutual respect,” he says. “You build a relationship like that over many years — and it means a lot.” When Ray looks back, he keeps it simple. “I don’t believe I’ve done anything special,” he says. But a life built on resilience, hard work, and decades of deep connection tells a very different story.
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