Person

Donald, Colin Malcolm (1910 - 1985)

FAA CBE

Born
21 March 1910
Colchester, England
Died
14 March 1985
Occupation
Agricultural scientist, Science administrator and Agronomist

Summary

Colin Donald was Professor of Agronomy at the Waite Agricultural Research Institute, University of Adelaide 1954-1973. Earlier he had been the Assistant Chief of the CSIR/O Division of Plant Industry 1934-1954. He profoundly influenced pasture development in Australia by understanding the limitations to pasture growth imposed by soils and environment, and advanced our understanding of competition between plants when grown in communities. Donald is commemorated by the C.M. Donald Medal established in 1984 by the Australian Society of Agronomy.

Details

Chronology

1928
Education - Diploma in Agriculture, Hawkesbury Agricultural College
1932
Education - Bachelor of Agricultural Science (BAgSc), University of Sydney
1933 - 1934
Career position - Researcher, Agrostology Branch of the New South Wales Department of Agriculture
1934 - 1939
Career position - Mineral deficiency Investigator, Waite Agricultural Research Institute in Adelaide
1934 - 1954
Career position - Research Officer at CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research) / CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation)
1939
Education - Master of Agricultural Science, University of Adelaide
1939 - 1941
Career position - Pawlett Overseas Scholar studying pasture development in the UK, USA and New Zealand
1942 - 1945
Career position - Seconded to the Department of War Organization of Industry, later Assistant Director of the Department, in charge of the Rural Industries Division in Melbourne
1943 - 1945
Career position - Chairman, Commonwealth Rural Production Goals Committee
1945 - 1954
Career position - Assistant Chief of the CSIRO Division of Plant Industry in Canberra
1946 - 1948
Career position - President, Australian Institute of Agricultural Science, Australian Capital Territory branch
1954 - 1973
Career position - Professor of Agriculture, University of Adelaide and Head of the Department of Agronomy at Waite Agricultural Research Institute
1955 - 1973
Career position - Member of the Advisory Council of Roseworthy Agricultural College
1956 - 1957
Career position - President, Australian Institute of Agricultural Science, South Australian branch
1960
Career position - President, South Australian Branch, Australian Society for Animal Production
1961 - 1965
Career position - Member of the CSIRO Advisory Council
1961 - 1985
Award - Fellow, Australian Institute of Agricultural Science (FAIAS)
1962
Education - Doctor of Science (DSc), University of Sydney
1963
Career position - President, Australian Institute of Agricultural Science
1964
Award - Australian Medal of Agricultural Science, Australian Institute of Agricultural Science
1965
Career position - President, Section K (Agricuture and Forestry), Australian and New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Science
1965
Award - Farrer Memorial Medal, Farrer Memorial Trust
1968 - 1985
Award - Fellow, Australian Academy of Science (FAA)
1973 -
Career position - Emeritus Professor and Honorary Research Associate, University of Adelaide
1979
Award - Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
1984
Award - C.M. Donald Medal established by the Australian Society of Agronomy

Related Corporate Bodies

Archival resources

Adolph Basser Library, Australian Academy of Science

  • Colin Malcolm Donald - Records, 1943 - 1975, MS 141; Adolph Basser Library, Australian Academy of Science. Details

Waite Agricultural Research Institute

  • Colin Malcolm Donald - Records, 1929 - 1970; Waite Agricultural Research Institute. Details

Published resources

Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation Exhibitions

Book Sections

Journal Articles

Resources

Resource Sections

Digital resources

Title
Colin Malcolm Donald
Type
Image

Details

McCarthy, G.J.

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