Australian plant breeder whose research established lupins, subterranean clover, and yellow serradella as feed crops, plus helped uncork the Margaret River wine region, was recognized in yesterday's Australia Day Honours.
Dr. John Sylvester Gladstones, 90, of Carine, was promoted to an Officer in the General Division of the Order of Australia. His AO was for distinguished service to primary industry, particularly agriculture and viticulture, and as an author. Mr. Gladstones had been made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 1986 for his plant breeding work.
He became a world authority during 40 years of research which established narrow-leafed lupins as a viable stock feed crop, first as a researcher with The University of Western Australia (UWA) and later as the primary plant breeder for 20 years with the then WA Agriculture Department.
While working as an Agricultural Science lecturer and researcher at UWA, Mr. Gladstones published scientific papers in 1965 and 1966, pointing out the soil and climatic similarities between the Bordeaux wine region in France and the Wilyabrup region between Dunsborough and Margaret River.
He was the first person to suggest wine grapes could be grown successfully and premium wines produced in the Margaret River region and wine industry pioneers Tom Cullity with Vasse Felix and Kevin and Diana Cullen with Cullen Wines took notice.
Read the complete article at www.farmweekly.com.au.