Archive of past Queensland Entomologists
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Robert VEITCH (1890-1972)
Born Edinburgh, studied at Edinburgh University, graduating BAgrSc and BForSc in 1912, part of Forestry course undertaken in Germany. Served as Assistant at Imperial Institute of Entomology, British Museum, London, 1913-14, before becoming entomologist with Colonial Sugar Refining Co. 1914-25. Based in Lautoka, Fiji, during CSR service but travelled widely to sugar growing areas, including Australia, and published on Australian cane beetle borer in 1917. In 1925 appointed to replace long-serving Henry Tryon with Qld Dept. of Agric. and Stock under new title of Chief Entomologist. Encouraged research and appointed many graduate entomologists from the newly established UQ Agriculture Faculty. Set up field stations for entomology at Stanthorpe and Cairns. Established forest entomology group. Published widely, especially leaflets aimed at farmers. Produced two seminal volumes on agricultural pests, viz. the 1929 Pest and Diseases of Queensland Fruits and Vegetables (with J.H. Simmonds) and the 1938 Queensland Agricultural and Pastoral Handbook Vol 3, the latter a compilation of input from departmental staff (revised 1951). After review by UQ Professor Goddard and Minister Bulcock, Veitch became Director (Research) in new Division of Plant Industry in 1937 and rose to Assistant Under-Secretary (Technical) in 1947. Retired 1956, but recalled for a year in May 1958 as Acting Under-Secretary following sudden death of A.F. Bell. Veitch was President of Entomological Society of Qld in 1932 and was elected Honorary Life Member in 1956. Also President of the Royal Society of Queensland.
Obituary: Weddell, J.A. 1972. News Bulletin Entomological Society of Queensland. 90: 21.