Prominent Department of Agriculture staff
Horticultural Branch 1887–1977
This brief list of the Horticultural Branch contains a list of former staff members, their last title, last location and period of service.
History of horticulture branch and former staff 1887–1977 ()
Laurie, Duncan Forbes 1861–1945
Government Poultry Expert and Lecturer
Laurie commenced in south Australia as a cadet with the Engineer in Chief's Department in 1997. He held a long term interest in poultry production and delivered lectures at Roseworthy Agricultural College between 1894 and 1897.
In 1905 he was appointed the Government Poultry Expert and Lecturer and guided the development of the Parafield Poultry Research Centre and programs until his retirement in 1930.
Duncan Laurie - Government Poultry Expert and Lecturer ()
Quinn, George 1905–1935
SA's first Chief Horticulturalist
George Quinn commenced with the SA Botanic Gardens in 1887. After a period as an Inspector he joined the Department of Agriculture in 1905 as a Horticultural Inspector, rising to the position of Chief Horticulturalist and retired in 1935.
He made a major contribution to all aspects of horticultural crop production during his 47 years of public service.
George Quinn - SA's first Chief Horticulturalist ()
Suter, Percy Hampden 1904–1939
Dairy Instructor and Government Dairy Expert
Percy Suter - Dairy Instructor and Government Dairy Expert ()
Valentine, Charles Jonas 1834–1915
Chief Inspector of Stock and Brands
Charles Valentine was born in Sussex England and migrated to Victoria before being appointed as South Australia's Chief Inspector of Stock and Brands in 1865, in the Department of Stock and Brands. His appointment coincided with a period of drought where he regularly travelled into the northern pastoral areas, including the Northern Territory.
In 1905 the Stock and Brands Department was transferred to the Department of Agriculture and Intelligence, and after 40 years of service he retired.
Charles Valentine - Chief Inspector of Stock and Brands ()
Waddy, Francis (Frank) Edward 1873-1964
Farm Manager/Pure Seed Manager
Frank Waddy was appointed to establish and manage the Booborowie Experimental Farm. Between 1913 and 1918 the farm was responsible for lucerne and crop production research for the region as well as a disadvantaged boys home for several years. In 1918 he was appointed Manager of the Turretfield Experimental Farm. In 1931, in response to moves to close the Farm, Waddy developed Turretfield as a stud seed farm, to provide farmers with high quality genetic seed. The farm ran as a cost neutral enterprise until his retirement in 1938.