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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.

E

East, David 1936 - 2020

David East began his career in the design, manufacture and marketing of farm equipment but later joined the editorial team of the Stock Journal and continued to communicate with the farming community through consultancy organisations.

Image: Stock Journal

Ekers, Colin Lawrence 1932 - 2020

Colin Ekers was a dairy farmer near Mt Compass who specialised in breeding Holstein-Friesian cattle, a task which took him all over the world. He was a long-term member of Holstein Australia and also a significant member of the Mt Compass community.

Image: Stock Journal

Elder, Sir Thomas 1818 - 1897

Pastoralist and philanthropist. With his brother George, he established Elder & Co. with his main investments and trade in agricultural and pastoral pursuits. He took shares in flour mills, financed farmers and wool growers, and became agent and retailer for goods of all kinds. In 1863 Elder and Robert Barr Smith formed the famous firm Elder Smith & Co. and returned their attention to the pastoral and farming markets, becoming unrivalled leaders in the field. They built up a huge pastoral empire which encompassed many thousands of square miles.

Image: SLSA Image B34518 1885

Emerson, William Walcott (Bill) 1925 - 2012

Dr Bill Emerson was a distinguished soil scientist at the CSIRO. He made a major contribution to world soil science and agriculture, including the development of a dispersion test (named after him) for soil aggregate stability.

Image: Australian Soil Science Society Inc

F

Farnan AM, Patrick (Pat) 1921 - 2008

Pat Farnan was general manager of SA Seed Growers Cooperative for 23 years and developed the business to become Australia’s largest exporter of temperate pasture seeds and pioneered the export of pasture seeds to the Middle East.

Image: The Advertiser

Fawcett, Robert (Bob) 1927 - 2009

Bob’s major contribution while with the SA Department of Agriculture was the development of low till cultivation systems suitable for the trend towards continuous cropping. His early study was at Roseworthy Agricultural College before completing his PhD at Sydney University. During his career he worked at the CSIRO in Canberra and with an aid project in Thailand.

Image: PIRSA Ag History

Feagan, John Temple 1927 - 2021

John Feagan was the principal Dairy Research Officer in the Dept of Agriculture and developed machine milking techniques. He also worked on making refrigerated butter more spreadable and later became chair of the SA Egg Board.

Image: PIRSA Ag History

Finnis, Harold Jack 1889 - 1980

Administrator. Harold Finnis entered the SA public service as a junior clerk in 1905. In 1911 he moved from the Produce Department to the Agriculture Department, and in 1915 became assistant secretary of the Advisory Board of Agriculture, librarian and editor of the Journal of Agriculture. In 1925, Finnis was appointed secretary of the Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society, a position he held until 1955, gradually upgrading the grounds, buildings and scope of Royal Adelaide Shows. He also played a key role in numerous state organisations including Adelaide Rotary Club, Library Board of SA, head of commissioners of National Parks, and was a governor of Adelaide Botanic Gardens.

Image: ANU Press

Fisher, John Malcolm 1932 - 2013

John Fisher was employed at the Waite Agricultural Research Institute in the 1950s as a pioneer nematologist. His work was instrumental in identifying plant parasitic nematodes and reducing their effects, particularly cereal cyst nematode.

Image: The Advertiser

Fisher, Charles Brown 1818 - 1908

Charles Fisher arrived in South Australia in 1836 and soon established successful pastoral leases. Sheep and cattle followed by wheat were the main produce supplied to the growing colony. His land holdings grew enormously and he became one of the biggest pastoralists in Australia.

Image: SLSA B 6912/E9

Fornachon, John Charles Macleod 1905 - 1968

Wine microbiologist. John Fornachon studied viticulture and oenology at Roseworthy Agricultural College. In 1934 he began research into diseases of wine and wine spoilage for the Wine Overseas Marketing Board (later the Australian Wine Board), with the project being subsequently administered by CSIR at Waite Agricultural Research Institute. A further major research project was examination of flor yeasts and led to improved sherry quality. The Australian Wine Research Institute was opened at Urrbrae in 1955 with Fornichon being the Director of Research until his death in 1968. In addition to wine judging and lecturing, John Fornichon was involved in numerous international wine research organisations.

Image: trove.nla.gov.au: Chronicle Thursday 18 August 1938 p 40

Forrester, William Gilbert 1851 - 1924

William Forrester was a well respected farmer in the Orroroo area. He was an excellent judge of stock and had a great attachment to horses. Although surviving numerous droughts he prospered in managing large flocks of sheep.

Foulis OAM, Desmond George 1924 - 2007

Des Foulis was a farmer in the Willowie and Wilmington areas and was a member of the agricultural bureau. He was a pioneer in planting native species and was recognised for his services to promoting native vegetation around farms.

Image: The Advertiser

French, Reginald James (Reg) 1925 - 2010

Reg was a well-respected agricultural researcher with the Dept of Agriculture. His efforts led to significant improvements in sustainable and profitable management of agricultural systems and our land resources.

Image: PIRSA Ag History

Fuller, Douglas Clarence 1909 - 2007

Doug Fuller was a pastoralist, part of the Fuller family who owned and managed De Rose Hill Station for many years.

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