Farmer meets famous relative
A DOON Doon resident finally met his long-lost relative last week, former prime minister John Howard.
Beef cattle breeder Ron Duckworth always made jokes about being related to Mr Howard because of his unruly eyebrows.
"I have to keep cutting them back because they keep twirling over," Mr Duckworth said.
When his niece did some genealogy research he discovered his grandmother and the former PM's grandfather were siblings.
Tweed Shire councillor Joan van Lieshout organised a meeting between the two men.
When Cr van Lieshout pointed out the similarities in the two men's eyebrows Mr Howard laughed.
"Oh it's true, you're a poor fella; fancy having this brother," Mr Howard said.
"He's got more hair than I have.
"He's kept his hair very well."
Mr Duckworth's grand-daughter, Erica Mellor was delighted when Mr Howard looked at her unofficial biography of him. "It's all absolutely accurate," Mr Howard told the Daily News.
Mr Duckworth said the meeting made his day.
"He's such a warm person to talk to."
