David Richard Carter was a man of small stature, and of great presence.
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He was born in Richmond July 24, 1944, the only son of William (Bill) Henry Carter and Edith Mary Carter, nee Magoffin. David passed away on July 16, 2018.
The Carters came to Richmond Shire in the 1880s and owned numerous properties around the district. David had a deep connection to the land and there is not one part of the Shire he did not know.
David grew up on Wyangarie Station with sisters Elizabeth, Carol and Patsy, who was killed in a tragic horse accident aged nine. David started correspondence schooling at Wyangarie then attended St Joseph’s Convent in Julia Creek, before going to Downlands College in Toowoomba, until finally attending Abergowrie College to finish his schooling.
After school David went to work at Hillgrove Station, near Charters Towers, for Bill Allingham and his family. His time with the Allingham family created a strong connection and affection between the Allinghams and Carters which holds to this day. After his time at Hillgrove David returned to Wyangarie and started work for his father. David remained at Wyangarie until his death.
David grew up surrounded by cattle and horses, an essential part of his work and play from an early age.
He competed in rodeos and won the Queensland Calf riding Champion in 1957 at the Richmond Rodeo. David started riding racehorses in 1963, following his forebears, and became an accomplished jockey in north Queensland, riding tracks from Cloncurry to Townsville and Cairns and many of the little race meetings in between. Highlights from his racing career include his first ride at Maxwelton in 1963 on a horse called Gold Image which he won. At the Richmond Melbourne Cup meeting in 1967 he had two rides, and both horses won, Rugby Lad and Cloudage. At the Nelia Race meeting in 1966, he had six rides, riding three winners and three seconds, which earned him the Whip as the best rider for the day. David also rode at the large Amateur meetings in Townsville and Cairns for many years and it was through these race meetings in 1968 that he met Jane Williams from Yungaburra.
David and Jane married in 1970 and they enjoyed 48 years as partners in life. David and Jane had three children, Camilla, Jen and Billy. Billy died tragically in 1994. This was a year of joy and loss for the Carter Family. In February Camilla married Marty Rogers and they have three children, Cody, Julia and Matt. Jen married Chook Kealey in 1997, and they have four children, Sam, Ria, Meg and Ali. David was extremely proud of his family, and loved his grandchildren immensely. He leaves behind seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren.