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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.

D

Doudle, Richard Heath 1934 - 2018

Richard Doudle was a farmer on Eyre Peninsula and was a pioneer in reclaiming farm land from increasing saline soils. His successful efforts inspired other farmers to embrace landcare.

Image: The Advertiser

Duffield, Walter 1816 - 1882

Miller, pastoralist and politician. Duffield arrived in South Australia in December 1839. In 1847 he moved to Gawler, where he bought the Victoria steam flour-mill. He acquired other mills around the State and began to build up Para Para estate, winning prizes for his hams, wines and orchard produce. He later acquired over a thousand square miles (2590 km²) of pastoral leases. Duffield represented Barossa in the House of Assembly and was the State Treasurer.

Image: SLSA B11141 c1865

Duncan, Sir Walter Gordon 1885 - 1963

Pastoralist and politician. After working on a series of family pastoral properties, Walter Duncan became part-owner of several properties, and a director of several large pastoral companies. He was a member of the Legislative Council for 44 years, and its President between 1944 and 1962. Duncan emerged as a major figure in the State's commercial, agricultural and political life. He was a director of BHP between 1922 and 1962, and following inspection of steel mills in India, influenced the industrial development of Whyalla. He had a long association with the Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society of South Australia, and as president oversaw the move from North Terrace to the Wayville showgrounds in 1924-25. An exhibition hall bearing his name was opened at the Wayville showgrounds in 1962.

Image: Image: SLSA B9197 1939

Dunn, John 1802 - 1894

Miller. John Dunn immigrated to South Australia in 1840 and gradually built up a large livestock feed and flour milling business. By his retirement in 1889, the business Dunn & Co had eleven mills and was annually exporting 20,000 tons of flour to Britain, Western Australia, New South Wales and South Africa, and had some 400 employees. A number of family members participated in Dunn & Co including sons John Dunn junior (1830-1892) and William Henry Dunn, son-in-law W. Hill (d.1885) and brother-in-law G. Shorney (d.1891). The company expanded building five mills in northern centres, one in the south-east linking these along railway lines to the firm's private wharves. The firm's prosperity enabled the family to pursue political careers.

Image: SLSA B 8235/1/5V

Dutton, Henry 1848 - 1914

Pastoralist. Henry Dutton was a well known pastoralist who owned the large Anlaby Estate north east of Kapunda, and was associated with another sheep station at North Booboorowie.

Image: http://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/dutton-henry-336

Dutton, Frederick Hansborough 1812 - 1890

Image: SLSA B 14653

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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

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

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

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

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.

G

Gebhardt, Gustav Adolph 1833 - 1900

Gustav Gebhardt arrived in 1858 and started a butchering business at Burra but soon used his knowledge of stock to enter pastoral industry. He ended up purchasing a number of stations and improved their carrying capacity. He won numerous prizes at shows and because of his knowledge was for many years chosen to act as judge.

Image: Obituaries Australia

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