On Tuesday this week, one of the pioneers of the modern Australia cotton industry Frank Hadley, passed away at the age of 97.

Coming to Australia from California with Paul Kahl in 1961, Frank and Paul purchased a property near Wee Waa. While Paul returned home to his family, Frank stayed on and undertook the arduous task of turning sheep country into cotton country, planting their first Australian crop in the spring of 1961.

In early 1962, Frank returned to California to wind-up his farming there, and return with his family, while Paul Kahl and his family moved to Wee Waa to pick their first crop.

This marked the start of a fifty plus year career in, and passion for Australian cotton, including being pivotal in the establishment of Namoi Cotton in late 1962.

Just over a month ago Frank was able to visit the Kahl Family’s Merced Farming and ride on a modern cotton picker, a far cry from the early machines he helped to introduce to the Australian industry.

Watch the story of Frank’s pioneering role in the cotton industry.

Funeral arrangements for the late Frank Hadley are expected to be confirmed in the coming days.