Archive of past Queensland Entomologists
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John Arthur WEDDELL (1902-1980)
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John Weddell was born Newcastle-on-Tyne, England and came to Australia aged seven. Attended Brisbane Grammar School and completed secondary education as an evening student at Brisbane Technical College. Employed 1917-1922 as a technical attendant at the Central Technical College. Joined Department of Agriculture and Stock (DAS) in 1922 as Assistant to the Entomologists working under Henry Tryon and later, Robert Veitch. Appointed 1928 to professional Entomologist grade on basis of internal examinations under the direction of Veitch. Weddell was academically gifted and versatile in his wide ranging technical skills. As an entomologist he worked on and published results of extensive investigations on major grasshopper outbreaks but also on pests ofbananas and vegetables, termites and apiculture regulation. Technical skills apparent from his pioneering construction of a vapour heat disinfestation facility as a fruit fly phytosanitary measure around 1930. Later in career, as Senior Entomologist, Weddell was transferred to become the departmental Senior Technical Officer with a property managerial role responsible for the establishment and maintenance of research facilities state wide. John was early involved in industrial advocacy and was instrumental in the establishment of the Queensland Professional Officers Association, an apolitical organisation, becoming inaugural President and later a Life Member. Was at foundation meeting of Entomological Society of Queensland in 1923 and served as President, 1937 and 1944. Served Australian Army during WW2 at the rank of Lieutenant.
Obituary: Anon. 1980. News Bulletin of the Entomological Society of Queensland 8: 55.