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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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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

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

Bowman, Edmund 1855 - 1921

Edmund Bowman originally managed the farming of sheep at Martindale Estate and then took a share in a large area north-east of Port Augusta. He became manager of Wandillah and then purchased part of the property when the land was resumed for closer settlement. He was very interested in community matters around nearby Burra and was highly respected by his fellow pastoralists.

Image: SLSA B 68463

Bowman, Thomas Richard 1835 - 1911

Thomas Bowman came to South Australia from Tasmania and became a pioneer pastoralist. He was well respected for his breeding of high-class sheep and cattle, and experimented in ostrich farming near Lake Albert. He was associated with a number of well-known pastoral properties.

Image: SLSA B 11300

Brand, James Ian (Jim) 1952 - 2005

Jim’s family was closely associated with the wine industry for generations, so it was logical that he also started in the industry. He studied oenology and viticulture and applied this knowledge in all aspects of the industry. He was appointed manager of the McWilliams Coonawarra production covering many varieties and was actively involved in many wine industry associations.

Image: The Advertiser

Brechin, Peter 1942 - 2025

Peter was a leading figure in the South Australian pig industry. He studied at Roseworthy Agricultural College and started at the Gepps Cross Livestock Market. He then purchased land and built up a successful pig business and was involved in the development of the industry.

Image: Stock Journal of SA

Brewer, Helen 1920 - 2012

Helen Brewer was a breeder of Romney sheep near Strathalbyn and was soon selling sheep in Australia and overseas. She managed the stud for more than 60 years and was a Life Member of the Australian Romney Association.

Image: The Advertiser

Brockhoff AM, Roger David 1927 - 2007

Roger Brockhoff took over his father's property at Lenswood, becoming instrumental in improving the orchard and promoting alternative crops. He was very active in the community being Chairman of the local council and a Lions Club member for many years.

Image: PIRSA Ag History

Brooks, George 1849 - 1926

Pastoralist. Born at Gumeracha, he started by buying hay, chaffing it, and carting it to Kadina, Wallaroo, and Moonta. He started buying properties in the mid north and Yorke Peninsula then secured a property every few years, including Buckland Park estate and Clifton Hills and Kanowana stations, until he became one of the largest landowners in the State.

Image: Pastoral Review, 16 November 1926

Brownell, Peter Ferguson 1922 - 2002

Peter Brownell was a soil conservation officer in the Dept of Agriculture before moving into plant physiology, firstly at the University of Adelaide and then at James Cook University, Townsville, where he was first to demonstrate that sodium was an essential nutrient for some plants.

Image: The Advertiser

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