General News
17 April, 2025
Desmond Smith marks 90
Rainbow local Desmond Smith celebrated his 90th birthday on March 22, surrounded by family and friends, at the Eureka Hotel.
He reflected on a life of resilience, hard work, and community spirit.
Born at Rainbow Hospital on March 24, 1935, Mr Smith’s life journey has been deeply rooted in the local area.
From growing up on the family farm at Golden Grove to facing a childhood illness that left one leg shorter than the other, he’s taken challenges in stride.
At just five years old, Mr Smith walked several miles alone from his uncle’s to his parents’ home.
“I didn’t want to go to school was one of the things from my younger days, ” he said.
Later, in 1945, he spent nearly a year in plaster due to a hip issue.
“They put me on what they called a Bradford frame,” he said.
"My mother accompanied me but just travelled in the normal van."
Mr Smith attended various schools across the Wimmera and later boarded at Haileybury College in Melbourne before returning to Rainbow in 1950 to begin his farming life.
“My first harvest was in 1950–51,” he said.
“Back then, the harvester cut about three metres.
“It was closer to four when I retired in 1992, but today it’s double that.”
Mr Smith farmed in partnership with his brother Graeme for over two decades.
Even after they separated properties in the mid-1970s, the two brothers continued helping each other until Graeme’s son Roger took over.
He embraced sport throughout his life.
After playing cricket and tennis in his younger years, he moved on to golf and bowls, enjoying the competition and community connection those sports offered.
“It was February 1967, I played tennis in a dust storm at Yaapeet and I came home and said to my wife, well that was it,” he said.
“I threw my tennis racquet in the corner, and that was the end of tennis.
“I didn’t really play much sport again until 1969.
“After that, I started playing golf, which I really liked, and later in the summers, I took up playing bowls.”
Now living alone following the loss of his beloved wife last year, Mr Smith receives support from West Wimmera Health Service.
“I get meals on wheels and home help, so I’m well looked after,” he said.
Despite the ups and downs of farming and life, Mr Smith remains optimistic.
“In the farming world, if you stick at it, you’ll end up with more good years than bad,” he said.
Mr Smith loves his town and calls the community very helpful throughout the years.
“Rainbow is a good area, and the people are friendly and have always been supportive,” he said.
