“One of the most successful people in Australian agribusiness.”

The man behind one of the most iconic farm gates on the Hay Plains has passed away.

Mr Gordon Paterson, of Hells Gate, between Hay and Balranald, died last week.

When interviewed by ABC’s program ‘Landline’ in 2012 Mr Paterson refused to destroy the mystery of the much-photographed gateway.

"It was called Richlands when I bought it, but it was widely known as Hells Gate," Mr Paterson told the ABC.

As for where that came from, Mr Paterson says he does not really know - and if he did, he would not tell.

"I don't want to spoil the mystique of it," he said.

Photographic backdrops aside, Mr Paterson built a legacy of agricultural holdings, farming 65,000 hectares in the Riverina and another 10,200 hectares in the Western District. He was one of Victoria’s major landholders.

The Riverina holdings include Pevensey Station, Chillagoe, Glenmea, Berawinnia, Dales Block and Loorica. In the Western District Mr Paterson’s properties included Clifton, Iramoo, Glenlivett, Vermont and Kurrumbee.

Mr Paterson grew up on a small irrigation farm outside Swan Hill, and in the 60s he and his father bought Hells Gate, which at the time was a sheep station with no staff and very little infrastructure.

"[My wife and I] struggled pretty hard for the first 10 or 12 years to keep this place," Mr Paterson told Landline in 2012.

When the wool price collapsed the family switched to cattle and later set up a feedlot. It was a move that paid off when the Paterson’s started supplying retailer Coles.

Working alongside his son Lachlan, tragedy struck the family when Lachlan was diagnosed with motor neurone disease, and passed away in 2008.

Mr Paterson considered selling up, but instead grandson James Paterson stepped forward and the two commenced working together.

Just two years ago, at age 86, Mr Paterson purchased Kooba Ag’s holdings for a reported $63 million. At the time of the sale, he was described in the media as “one of the most successful people in Australian agribusiness.”

It is believed James, who has run the family company JHW Paterson and Son for several years, will continue Mr Paterson’s work, calling his grandfather “a visionary”.

Mr Paterson, who was 88, is survived by his wife of 65 years, Verna.