Bowen, Walter Godfrey Biography 1991

BOWEN, (Walter) Godfrey
MBE 1960, Hero of Labour of Soviet Union with Star of Lenin 1963;  Champion Shearer; Retired Field Director, New Zealand Wool Board
Born Hastings, 13 February 1922, son of Walter Bowen and Catherine (née Wall); married Mavis Telford, daughter of James Telford, 1946.
Education: Te Puke Primary School.
Territorials, 1942.
Managing Director, family sawmilling business, Te Puke, to 1953; World Champion Sheep Shearer, 1953; Chief Shearing Instructor, later Fd Director, NZ Wool Board, 1953-1985 (retired); established training scheme for shearers in Britain 1957, later in USA, Canada, Australia, Argentina, Chile, India, France, South Africa; created Bowen technique, demonstrated around world, technique also featured in films, NZ, Britain, USSR; in charge of outdoor display, World Fair (Expo 70) Osaka, returned to NZ to establish Expo Sheep Show, Agrodome, Rotorua, now world’s premier sheep show; Agrodome show presented at World Sheep and Wool Conference, Canada, 1986, repeated at Los Angeles, then presented at British Royal Show and other major shows in Britain, 1986-1989.  Hon Member, International Rotary, 1983-1987.
Publications: Wool Away, 1955; NZ and its Sheep, 1971; NZ and Its Cattle, 1973; Australia and its Sheep, 1977; Why the Shepherd, 1977; The ringer’s Stand, 1984.
Sports: Wellington Lawn Bowls Rep, 1987.
Recreations: lawn bowls, golf.
Address: Dansey Road, Ngongotaha, Rotorua.