Ralph Schulze AM remembered for service to cotton industry, community

The late Ralph Schulze AM has been remembered for his extensive service to the cotton industry and to the Narrabri community.

Mr Schulze, formerly of Narrabri, passed away peacefully at Tamworth Hospital on November 14.

Mr Schulze began work at the Narrabri Experiment Farm, Myall Vale, in 1960 after transferring from the Trangie Research Station.

In 1962/63, Mr Schulze was sent to California by the NSW Department of Agriculture on exchange with the University of California to study cotton as a potential new Australian industry.

His research trip was significant, and following its completion he returned to Myall Vale.

In 1965, Mr Schulze joined Auscott Limited as an agronomist for its new Narrabri farm.

By 1967, Mr Schulze was a founding member of the grower-owned and controlled Cotton Seed Distributors (CSD).

His board membership of CSD spanned 33 years.

Mr Schulze was involved in the formation of the Australian Cotton Growers’ Research Association (ACGRA) which merged with Cotton Australia Limited in 2008.

Mr Schulze served on this organisation for almost 30 years, including time as vice chairman.

In 1968, Mr Schulze became Auscott’s assistant manager and in 1970 was appointed manager of Auscott’s farm “Burratippi” and its associated cotton gin in Trangie. He remained in this position for 10 years.

Upon the sale of “Burratippi”, Mr Schulze transferred to Auscott’s Narrabri operation and took up corporate duties associated with the company’s agronomic activities.

From 1981-89, Mr Schulze left Auscott and formed a consulting business with his wife Merilyn.

In 1991, he became the first executive director of the newly-formed Australian Commonwealth authority, Cotton Research and Development Corporation (CRDC).

Mr Schulze’s work was not restricted to Australian cotton and he made contributions to the industry at an international level.

He initiated and chaired the inaugural World Cotton Conference in 1994.

Mr Schulze was granted the Service to Industry Award by ACGRA in 1993. In 2001, he was awarded the Centenary Medal.

He was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 2015 Australia Day Honours List.

Mr Schulze enjoyed a long involvement with the National Party. He joined the National Party of NSW in the early 1960s and was later made a life member.

Mr Schulze was also a long-serving member of the Rotary Club of Narrabri.

Additional community memberships include Narrabri Rugby Club, Apex, Special Olympics – Narrabri branch, ADFAS Narrabri, Narrabri Swimming Club and the Narrabri Community Tenancy Scheme and Special Purpose Housing.

Mr Schulze is survived by his wife Merilyn, son David, daughters Danielle and Sarah-Jane and their families.