Breakwell, Ernest J. (1885 - 1952)

Born ? 1885, died 17 February 1952

DEATH OF MR. E. BREAKWELL

Mr Ernest Breakwell, a former inspector of schools and one of the founders of the Junior Farmers' Clubs of NSW, has died aged 67.
Mr Breakwell was first agrostologist to the Slate Department of Agriculture from 1914 to 1922, when he became first headmaster of Yanco Agricultural High School.
He was president of the Junior Farmers movement in 1950.
Mr. Breakwell was also a president of the State branch of the Australian Institute of Agricultural Science. He is survived by Mrs Breakwell, a son, and two daughters.

Source: Extracted from: newspaper Sydney Morning Herald, page 4, 18 February 1952 (via Trove 2013)

Mr. E. Breakwell

Mr. E. Breakwell, for many years Inspector of School Agriculture, and State Organiser of Junior Farmers' Clubs, died on Sunday.

Mr. Breakwell served as a school teacher and was later, appointed as first agronomist of the N.S.D. Department of Agriculture. He was responsible for introducing kikuya grass from South Africa, and wrote a book entitled 'Grasses and Fodder Plants in N.S.W.' Mr. Breakwell was first Principal of the Yanco Agricultural High School soon after its inception in the early 1920's. From September, 1928, until his retirement early in 1946, he occupied the position of State organiser of School Agriculture. This meant he occupied two positions — that of Inspector of School Agriculture and State Organiser of Junior Farmers' Clubs. For the past few years he had suffered from ill-health, but still continued to keep in touch with the Junior Farmer Movement. Breakwell was well known in Narrandera, having visited this town on numerous occasions. He had many friends here.

Source: Extracted from: newspaper Narandera Argus and Riverina Advertiser Page 2, 21 February 1952 (via Trove 2013)

BREAKWELL, Ernest, B.A., B.Sc. Syd.,
Agrostologist; Inspeotor of fSeoondary Sohools, N.S.W. since 1932: son of James Breakwell, Pelsall, '<'Staffs, Eng.; b. Hay 22, 1884, Pelsall; ed. East Haitland Boys' High Soh., Univ. of Syd.; Pupil Teacher N.S.W. Educ. Dept. 1900-03; Science Teacher 1908-12; appointed Economic Botanist with Dept. of Agriculture, N.S.W., 1912 and first Austn. Agrostologist with that Dept., 1913-1922; First Principal Yanco Agric. High Sch. 1922-28; Supervisor of Junior Farmers' Clubs since 1928; Vice-pres. N.S.W. branch Aust. Inst. of Agric. Se., Pres. 1939; was Govt. Seed Tester and Compiler of Pure Seeds Act; introduced kikuyu and elephant grass into Aust.; inaugurated Junior Farmers' Clubs; Memb. Linnean and Royal Societies; retd. Apr. 1946; m. Dec. 30, 1908, Lily, d. George Goodall. 1 s., 2 d.; recreations, gardening, literature, bridge; address, "Braeside," Hillside Rd., Newport Beach, N.S.W.

Source: Extracted from:
Who's Who in Australia, 1950;
Agricultural Gazette of New South Wales, 1912;
Rural Youth Vol.3,No.2, April,1969.PP.26,34.
Bibliography of works of Ernest Breakwell in agriculture /​ compiled by J.R. Graham from the collections in the State Office Block Library and the Mitchell Library.(1974)

Collecting localities for 'Breakwell, E. and Breakwell, E.J.' from AVH (2025)

Data from 1,018 specimens