Story Added: October 2006

Bernie Savage was born the third child of William and Madge Savage. The savage family are pioneers of the Longreach district. Bernie’s grandfather William Savage was one of the first settlers in Longreach and established the town’s first butcher shop.

Bernie grew up in Longreach where his father operated Savages Butchery. He received his primary education at St Josephs in Longreach. His secondary education was at St Joseph’s Nudgee College where he boarded with his brothers and excelled at sport.

On leaving school he returned to the family butcher shop, served his apprenticeship and later became known for making the ‘best beef sausages in the west’. In his young adult life he excelled at many sports. He was a champion boxer in the Central West of Queensland, played Rugby League, representing Central Western Queensland for eleven years. Rugby League was Bernie’s passion up to the time of his death. He was passionate about the Brisbane Broncos and followed their games closely every week.

Rugby League however was not his only sport. He also excelled at golf and tennis and played in many major tournaments in both. He was on the Foundation Committee to build the Longreach Golf Club. He also dedicated service to the Volunteer Fire Brigade for which he was recognized with the Fire Service Medal.

In 1948 he married Audrey Flood who came from Barcaldine. Their only child Carolyn was born in 1949. Over the years Bernie with Brother Bill purchased Shandon Park at Anakie where they bred and fattened cattle for sale as well as for slaughter for the butcher shop. In 1981 Bernie sold the butcher shop to his nephew Brian who today with his son Ryan still operates Savage’s Butchery – a fifth generation business. He and Audrey then retired to Jamboree Heights where he enjoyed his final years.

Bernie is survived by his wife Audrey, Daughter Carolyn, granddaughters Georga and Jessica and great-granddaughter Holly.