21 Facts About Thomas Brash

Thomas Cuddie Brash was a leading figure in New Zealand's dairy industry and one of only four lay moderators of the General Assembly in the history of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Thomas Brash was the father of Presbyterian and Ecumenical church leader Alan Brash, and grandfather of governor of the Reserve Bank and leader of the National Party Don Brash.

Thomas Cuddie Brash was born to William Brash and Jane Parkinson Brash at Saddle Hill, near Dunedin, on 29 November 1874.

Thomas Brash's parents were descendants of Scottish settlers who lived in Dunedin, and they bought their own farm of 400 acres at Mataura Island, Southland.

Thomas Brash set to work improving the quality of the operations.

Many had complained about the sour taste of the factory's butter, and Thomas Brash had his staff spend three months cleaning the factory with immediate success.

Thomas Brash participated as an elder and a Bible Class leader, and was twice appointed president of the Bible Class Union.

Thomas Brash left Totara Flat in 1898 to become manager of the Maketawa dairy factory in Taranaki.

Thomas Brash gained a reputation for his demands for meticulous cleanliness.

Thomas Brash studied accountancy while in Waverley, and became a registered accountant in 1911.

Thomas Brash married Margaret Henrietta Allen at Wyndham on 17 July 1901, with whom he had two daughters and two sons.

Thomas Brash was appointed the association's representative in London in 1919, and in 1921 returned to New Zealand to become secretary.

Thomas Brash worked diligently to promote New Zealand dairy produce in Britain, and helped to establish the New Zealand Dairy Produce Control Board, for which he was appointed the inaugural secretary and chief executive for 16 years.

Thomas Brash was involved in the establishment of the Dairy Research Institute at Massey Agricultural College.

Thomas Brash applied his knowledge of export controls and marketing, acquired through his position in the dairy industry, to the fruitgrowing market, and in 1924 was elected as president of the New Zealand Fruitgrower's Association.

Thomas Brash was honoured as a life member of the Federated Farmers of New Zealand.

Thomas Brash continued as an elder, and by the end of his life had served the church for 51 years in that role.

Thomas Brash was a church property trustee for 37 years and chairman of the trustees for 12 years.

Thomas Brash chaired the Finance Committee, acted as convener of the Youth of the Church Committee in 1918, and in the 1940s was deeply involved in the Campaign for Christian Order.

Thomas Brash was a keen supporter of the ecumenical movement, laying the foundations for the more prominent role of his son Alan.

Thomas Brash attended the meeting of churches adhering to the Presbyterian system at Lausanne in 1920, and participated in the inaugural meeting of the World Council of Churches in Amsterdam in 1948.