George Robertson

During the period 1935 - 40, Mr. Robertson was a Technical Officer with the Plant Introduction Section of C.S.I.R.O., Lawes.
 
He was a pilot with the  R.A.A.F. In 1943 he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross D.F.C for services in New Guinea.   He was a test pilot (Flight Lieutenant) from 1944 - 46 when he flew and tested 25 different types of aircraft from Tiger Months to Spitfires to Lancaster bombers which include the Lancaster G (for George) now in the Australian War Museum, Canberra.

Mr Robertson entered the Faculty of Agriculture within Queensland University in 1947 and was awarded B.Agr.Sc. degree in 1950 when he was equal dux. He was awarded the Robert Philp and Edwin Munro Scholarship for postgraduate studies but for financial reasons was unable to accept.

Returning to C.S.I.R.O. Cooper Laboratory at Lawes as Officer-in-Charge, he initiated pasture and agronomy experiments in traprock country at Texas (Old) and in the brigalow country at Taroom.

In 1953, Mr Robertson drew a brigalow block within the War Service Land Settlement Scheme at Wandoan. Here he established the "Birrahlee" Border Leicester Sheep Stud and the Brahman cattle stud. Fat lambs - Border Leicester X Merino ewe crosses and vealers from A.LS. cows and Brahman bulls were a major income source. Grain growing, pasture improvement and pasture seed production were also important. During 1975, he moved from Wandoan to Ridgelands, via Rockhampton where up to the present time he has maintained the Birrahlee Brahman Cattle Stud associated with pasture improvement and grain growing.

Mr Robertson has given most liberally of his time and expertise to serve many communities and industry organisations. The most notable of these are - at Wandoan he was Chairman of the Parents and Citizens Association; Taroom Shire Councillor for eight years; Chairman of the United Graziers Association and Rural Youth Advisor.

After moving to the Rockhampton area he has served as - Chairman, United Graziers Association (Rockhampton Branch); Chairman, Queensland Graingrowers Association (Rockhampton Branch); Foundation Chairman for both the Australian Brahman Breeders Association (Central Queensland Branch) and the Australian Chairman (Charbray) Society. Also a member of the steering committees for the establishment of the Charolais Society and Charbray Society in Queensland.
 

Awards

Gatton Gold Medal
1987

Qualifications

Bachelor of Agricultural Science
1950
Queensland Diploma in Agriculture
1934
Queensland Diploma in Horticulture
1935