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Prominent People

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This section lists industry people who have made a significant contribution to the achievements and success of agriculture in South Australia and Australia. Where information is available from a readily available source, a link is provided.

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Bailey, Robert 1842 - 1918

Large pastoralist in Belalie North district.

Image: Cyclopedia of South Australia

Baker, John 1813 - 1872

Pastoralist and parliamentarian. An early grazier, miner, livestock trader and entrepreneur. John Baker founded the Chamber of Commerce and was its first Chairman. He was also SA's second Premier, and was heavily involved with the Agricultural and Horticultural Society, and participated in selecting the site for Adelaide's Botanic Gardens.

Image: SLSA Image B11286-1-10 1885

Baker, Dale Spehr 1939 - 2012

Dale was a leading primary producer in the South East of South Australia, specialising in beef cattle and flower production. He was an industry leader in native and exotic flower production. He was elected as the Member for MacKillop in 1985 and was the Leader of the Liberal Party between 1990 and 1992. Dale held the position of Minister for Primary Industries between 1993 and 1995.

Image: ABC

Barrow, Peter McKee 1928 - 2016

Peter Barrow was a world renown agricultural scientist. He was initially involved in soil conservation and then barley research, later becoming the Chief Agronomist. He was heavily involved in developing dryland farming techniques, supporting projects in countries in the Middle East.

Image: PIRSA Ag History

Barton, Ian McRae 1933 - 2005

Ian Barton commenced his career as a stock man and station manager in the Northern Territory before returning to South Australia and establishing a water drilling business that grew into a major earth moving company. He also established a race horse stud of significance.

Image: The Advertiser

Beare, John Allan (Allan) 1916 - 2007

Allan grew up on a farm in the Mid North and attended Roseworthy Agricultural College, joining the Department of Agriculture in 1938 originally specialising in horticulture then in soil conservation. He was appointed Soil Conservator in 1955 and was a proponent of South Australia’s dryland farming expertise. He represented the Department on many State and National committees.

Image: The Advertiser

Beaven, Benjamin Henry 1857 - 1923

Benjamin Beaven arrived in Australia from England and immediately started working on the land on various stations. He was in charge of rabbiting gangs around Booboorowie before managing Wallelberdina Station, which he later purchased. After several years he moved back to Booboorowie until he retired. He was widely known and an excellent judge of Merino sheep.

Beck, Dora 1922 - 2014

Dora and her husband Bob moved onto a soldier settlement block outside of Mt Gambier following World War 2. Life was basic on these blocks but Dora had a strong communal spirit and was instrumental in developing the new local community as well as working the farm.

Image: The Advertiser

Beckwith, Arthur Ray (Ray) 1912 - 2013

Ray attended Roseworthy Agricultural College and excelled at oenology, working first for Thomas Hardy and then Penfolds. He laid the foundations for modern winemaking during his almost 40 years at Penfolds by discovering how to stabilise wine and protect it from spoilage. This provided Penfolds with a distinct competitive advantage.

Image: Encyclopaedia of Aust Science and Innovation

Bishop, William Neville (Bill) 1923 - 2017

Bill grew up in a prominent cherry grower family and himself became an industry leader. His own orchard was very successful and he took a deep interest in assisting other farmers and orchardists in the Adelaide Hills. He was on the State and National cherry growers organisations for many years and initiated and led a cherry breeding program for 15 years.

Image: The Advertiser

Bishop OAM, Douglas Alan 1934 - 2012

Doug attended Urrbrae Agricultural High School and worked on the family orchard at Basket Range. He became spokesperson for the fruit industry and pushed for the formation of the Apple and Pear Growers Association of SA, becoming its inaugural President. He was instrumental in renewing Australia’s fresh fruit marketing and exports.

Image: The Advertiser

Blackburn, Gerard (Dick) 1918 - 1999

Dick Blackburn was well known pedologist and contributed much to knowledge of southern Australian soils and landscapes. He began his career as a pedologist at CSIRO Division of Soils in Adelaide in 1946 and was based here until his retirement in 1983. He was a leading practitioner of soil science and his scientific work over the years represents a major contribution to Australian soil science and agriculture.

Blesing, Albert Percy 1879 - 1949

Farmer and politician. From a farming background, Albert Blesing had a long political career. He was the SA Minister of Agriculture from 1933 to 1944, and in his role as Minister for Afforestation (1938-44), promoted extensive planting of Pinus radiata forests in the South East of SA.

Image: SLSA Image B6323 1933

Both, John 1954 - 2019

John attended Roseworthy Agricultural College and joined the Department of Agriculture as editor of the Journal of Agriculture. He later moved to Kadina as District Agronomist before moving to the private sector. Here he helped with on-farm training programs and rose up the ranks of NuFarm to become research and development officer in South Australia.

Image: The Advertiser

Boundy, Leslie David (David) 1932 - 2003

David farmed near Minlaton and initiated barley trials covering many facets of production in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture. He was involved in a number of organisations including the Agricultural Bureau, the Native Vegetation Authority, SA Farmers Federation as well as serving 2 terms in State Parliament.

Image: SA Parliament

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