Interest in the continued development of agricultural research at the University of Sydney’s Narrabri site was high as new world-class facilities were showcased to the public on Tuesday.
One family in particular keenly follows the advancements at the I.A Watson Wheat Research Centre – the Watson family.
Family representatives honoured the memory of the late Emeritus Professor Irvine Armstrong Watson whose name adorns the Newell Highway facility.
Prof Watson’s involvement with agricultural research spanned almost four decades and culminated in the establishment of the Plant Breeding Institute within the faculty of agriculture in 1973.
Prof Watson became the inaugural Professor of Agricultural Botany (Plant Breeding), a position he held until his retirement in 1977.
Upon his retirement, the research centre was officially named in his honour.
Chancellor Sir Herman Black unveiled the plaque at an institute field day in honour of Prof Watson’s contribution to Australian agriculture.
“He would be chuffed,” Prof Watson’s son, Graham, told The Courier about the progress at the wheat research facility.
“All the Watson family maintains an interest here,” Robyn Watson said.
In retirement, Prof Watson continued his interest in the Narrabri research facility and would spend time at the site every year.
Prof Watson died aged 71 in 1986.
Prof Watson’s contribution to agricultural research is widely celebrated and he has been credited as a world-leader in the study and breeding of rust resistance in wheat.
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