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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.

B

Butler, Sir Richard Layton 1885 - 1966

Premier. From a grazing background, Richard Butler became a long term state politician. In 1927 he became Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Railways, steering SA through the difficult financial times of the Great Depression. In the late 1930's he fostered new investments for the BHP Whyalla steelworks, British Tube Mills, ICI and Holden Motor Body Builders, and after WW2 sat on the Boards of many major companies.

Image: SLSA Image B4585 1927

Bywaters, Gabriel Alexander (Gabe) 1914 - 2004

Gabe Bywaters was an excellent Minister of Agriculture and a Minister of Lands (amongst other portfolios) and guided agriculture through a difficult period with decisions that were hard but necessary.

Image: SA Parliament

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Cain, David Marden 1934 - 2021

David had a distinguished career with the Advertiser, in advertising, Red Cross and the Citrus Board of SA. He applied his accounting degree as the company secretary of advertising, agency Clem Taylor O’Brien, finally holding the position of General Manager of the Citrus Board of SA. David was instrumental in maintaining the United States as a preferred destination for citrus fruit.

Image: PIRSA

Callaghan, Sir Allan Robert 1905 - 1993

Sir Allan Callaghan was a formidable figure in agriculture. He was Principal of Roseworthy Agricultural College at a young age, Director of the Dept of Agriculture for 10 years, a member of the Australian Embassy in Washington and then Chairman of the Australian Wheat Board.

Image: National Library of Australia

Campbell, Charles Fraser 1868 - 1938

Charles Campbell grew up on and worked at Anlaby Estate all his life and held the position of overseer for 34 years. His knowledge of sheep, particularly Merinos, was extensive, and he often acted as judge at shows.

Cant, Rodney Revett (Rev) 1927 - 2021

Rev Cant joined the Dept of Agriculture and became a horticultural adviser had a great interest in winemaking and was respected by the citrus industry as a national pioneer of different varieties.

Image: The Advertiser

Carter, Edward (Ted) 1927 - 2018

Ted completed a degree in Agricultural Science before moving to Kangaroo Island as the Officer in Charge of the research centre at Parndana. He was instrumental in supporting the subdivision and development of land for soldier settlers returning after World War 2. After his Kangaroo Island work he was appointed as a Lecturer in Agronomy at the Waite Campus of the University of Adelaide.

Image: The Advertiser

Carter, Maurice Vernon 1926 - 2014

Maurice Cant was a plant pathologist based at the Waite Institute at Urrbrae having previously worked for the CSIRO. His research identified the cause of gumosis in apricot trees and other plants and became a world authority.

Image: The Advertiser

Cashmore, Victor (Vic) 1919 - 2007

After distinguished service on the RAAF during World War 2, Vic Cashmore took up a soldier settlement block at Mt Schank and developed it into a prosperous concern. He then moved to Adelaide and worked as a stock inspector for the Dept of Agriculture while working a block of grapes and almonds at McLaren Vale.

Image: Virtual War Memorial

Chapman, William Edwin (Ted) 1933 - 2005

Ted was raised on Kangaroo Island purchasing a farm at Western River. He is best known as a shearing, fencing and agricultural contractor before being elected as the Member for Alexandra in 1973. He held the positions of Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries and Minister for Forests for the Liberal Government from 1979 to 1982. He retired from Parliament in 1992.

Image: SA Parliament

Cheadle, Alfred Stanley 1853 - 1923

Alfred Cheadle was well-known in the South Australian wool trade and at the Adelaide auctions as wool salesman. He had an intimate knowledge of the pastoral industry. He was the manager of several wool and produce organisations, president of the Adelaide Chamber of Commerce and an examiner in wool classing.

Image: Pastoral Review

Christian, Arthur William 1893 - 1956

Pastoralist and politician. Initially a teacher and grazier, Arthur Christian was elected to state Parliament in 1933 and became Chairman of the Public Works Committee in 1944. He was Minister for Agriculture from 28 May 1954 until his death on 8 January 1956, associated with introduction of legislation for bulk handling of wheat, bushfire prevention and control, and plague locust control.

Image: http://pir.sa.gov.au/aghistory

Cirami, Richard Melchior 1941 - 2015

Richard, a Californian by birth, was one of a small group of scientists who revolutionised the Australian viticulture industry. Trained at the University of California, Davis, Richard moved to Australia early in his career. He held viticulture positions in Victoria and South Australia. His research led to improved wine grape varieties, evaluation of rootstocks and vineyard architecture and vine management across Australia.

Image: The Advertiser

Cleland, George Fullerton 1852 - 1931

Wine merchant. George Cleland formed GF Cleland & Co wine and distillery business in 1883 with properties at Beaumont and Tanunda. He was active in Local Government, a councillor for the Royal Agricultural & Horticultural Society, President of the SA Vignerons Association, served on the SA Advisory Board of Agriculture, and was heavily involved with the Chamber of Manufacturing.

Image: Cyclopedia of South Australia

Clift AM, Jeffrey Keith 1939 - 2006

Jeff Clift was a very successful grain farmer near Ardrossan. He was a long standing director of the SA Cooperative Bulk Handling and was committed to the betterment of the grains industry.

Image: The Advertiser

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