THE Coutts and Rollinsons have been neighbours at Fernihurst for more than a century.
It was that local knowledge of the Longview property in Coutts family ownership  for 152 years that saw Rollinson patriarch Bob become the new owner after last Thursday’s auction.
Bob, son Bruce and daughter Margaret were successful bidders for the property adjoining their Concordia Merino Stud.
“We have been neighbours all my life and always respected the Coutts’ property,” Bob said after the hammer fell.
“It’s a good proposition and I am happy to have bought it.”
The Concordia stud was founded in 1920 by Bob’s father Darb Rollinson on Wanganella ewes and rams. 
Bob has been managing and classing Merinos at his stud since the 1950s where the micron yield averages 21.
Son Bruce spent several years working the family’s various properties before taking over Goolgumbla, near Jerilderie, in 1998 when the family purchased the holdings and run a Merino stud and shorthorn cattle.
Bruce said: “We have been driving past Longview since we were little kids. The Coutts have always been good friends and neighbours.”
“Longview fits into our property scheme nicely.”
Rob and Colleen Coutts are preparing for retirement in what will be the end of an era at Longview.
Rob’s great-great-grandfather arrived in the area soon after agricultural land was opened up in 1869.
The property’s weatherboard quarters were built in 1872 and the stately brick additions added a decade later.
Ahead of retirement, the Coutts are selling down their flock of medium and fine wool Merinos.
“We’ve never done a lot of cropping but had cattle until a few years ago,” he said.
Rob said buyers at Thursday’s auction knew the value of local land.
“They are all neighbours and knew the potential and bid accordingly,” he said.
“We’re sad to be going. There are many memories and we will always love the place.”