Farrer Memorial Trust

The Farrer Memorial Medal is awarded annually to perpetuate the memory of William James Farrer, Plant Breeder, and to provide encouragement and inspiration to those engaged in agricultural science. The Medallist is chosen by Trustees of the Farrer Memorial Research Scholarship Fund from the ranks of those persons who have rendered distinguished service in agricultural science in Australia in the fields of research, education or administration. The recipient of the medal is invited to deliver an oration on a topical subject of his/her own choice.

Following the death of Farrer in 1906, a committee was formed to raise subscriptions for the establishment of a Memorial Fund, control of which was transferred to a Trust under a set of instructions dated 16 October 1911.

The Farrer Memorial Oration was arranged originally by a local committee at Queanbeyan. The originator of the idea was Mr Frank J. Gallagher MA, who was then Principal of the Queanbeyan Intermediate High School.

The first oration was delivered by the Prime Minister of Australia, the Rt Hon J.A. Lyons MP, on 3 April 1936 (the anniversary of the date of Farrer’s birth) at the Star Theatre, Queanbeyan, when a silver medallion was presented to him by the children of the school as a memento of the occasion. This medal has been donated to the Adolph Basser Library, Canberra, where it is on display.

At the request of Mr Gallagher, the Trustees assumed responsibility during 1941 for arranging an annual oration and presentation of a medal. The oration is now published in the Trust’s Annual Report.