NOTICE: Hard copies of the Australian New Crops Newsletter are available from the publisher, Dr Rob Fletcher. Details of availability are included in the
Advice on Publications Available.The New Crops folk at Gatton have been dealt a double blow with the deaths of two of their closest supporters and cooperators on the same day, Tuesday March 16.
Ian Wood died on Tuesday afternoon after battling stomach cancer for a number of months. Ian spend all his working life as an agronomist, mainly working with new crops in the CSIRO. He was made a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology in 1997 for his contributions to new crops research and development in Northern Australia, Thailand, Fiji and Western Samoa. He took early retirement from the CSIRO in 1992 but continued his new crop interests until his death.
At his funeral service the following was included in a moving eulogy by his two sons and his son-in-law of his family, professional and recreational pursuits:
"Throughout his career, Ian Wood has been involved with a range of innovative research projects, which have involved an element of risk.
Most significant has been his long-term involvement in the development of kenaf. Although this crop is not yet a house-hold name in Australia, the advances that have been made and the demonstration of the process of new crop research and development has been a testimony to Ian’s dedication and application."
Ian Wood acted as a consultant to the New Crops Project at Gatton for its first three years (1993-6) and made a considerable contribution to the organization of the First Australian New Crops Conference at Gatton in July 1996. His wise advice will be sorely missed.
Ian's last paper is included on this web site.
Andrew Nugent was tragically killed in what is believed to have been a hit-run truck accident on Tuesday evening on the New England Highway just outside Toowoomba.
Andrew was 33 years old. He has been an industry co-operator with New Crops for the past two and a half years in his capacity as an original partner in Echo Valley Herbs, with Nicholas Walker. Nick is a PhD student in the School of Land and Food, developing the Echinacea angustifolia industry (the Rolls Royce of Echinacea).
Andrew was an important contributor to the industry through his practical assistance with the problems associated with germination, establishment, weed control, harvesting and drying of Echinacea angustifolia root. Most of the trials are located on the property of his parents, Bill and Dawn Nugent at Echo Valley.
It is a testimony to the popularity of Andrew and the extremely likeable fellow he was that more than 500 attended his funeral service in Toowoomba on Saturday.
Andrew's contribution to the development of medicinal herbs will be sorely missed.
Any claims made by authors in the Australian New Crops Newsletter are presented by the Editors in good faith. Readers would be wise to critically examine the circumstances associated with any claims to determine the applicability of such claims to their specific set of circumstances. This material can be reproduced, with the provision that the source and the author (or editors, if applicable) are acknowledged and the use is for information or educational purposes. Contact with the original author is probably wise since the material may require updating or amendment if used in other publications. Material sourced from the Australian New Crops Newsletter cannot be used out of context or for commercial purposes not related to its original purpose in the newsletter
Contact: Dr Rob Fletcher, School of Land and Food, The University of Queensland Gatton College, 4345; Telephone: 07 5460 1311 or 07 5460 1301; Facsimile: 07 5460 1112; International facsimile: 61 7 5460 1112; Email:
r.fletcher@mailbox.uq.edu.au[
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GK; latest update 17 October 2001 by: RF